712 
C25 
1898 
MAIN 


Copyright  />'</>.) 


ANNE   BRADSTREET. 
(See  page  42.) 


AN    ACCOUNT 


HNNE    JSRADSTREET 


{PURITAN      {poETESS 


KtntivrU 


EDITED    HV 

COLONEI,     LUTHER     CALDWELL 


BOSTON 

&    UPHAM 

8Tf)f  ©III  Corner  Uoofcstorr 

283   Washington  St. 

l898 


MAIN  LIBRARY 


Copyright,  1898, 

BY   LUTHER   CAL,DWELL 

WASHINGTON,  D.-C. 


THE  NICHOLS  PRESS  — THOS.  P.  NICHOLS. 
LYNN,  MASS. 


M/f/AJ 


TO  MY  UNCLE, 

RICHARD  SUTTON  RUST,  D.D.,  LL.D. 

Cincinnati,  Ohio. 

I  dedicate  this  volume,  for  the  love  I  bear  him,  and  the 
many  acts  of  fraternal  affection  and  love  he  has  all  my  life 
so  abundantly  extended  to  me.  Both  of  us  born  under  the 
same  roof,  educated  at  the  same  schools,  and  having  the 
same  high  regard  for  the  old  town  of  Ipswich,  of  which  we 
are  both  natives,  I  take  pleasure  in  associating  his  name 
with  mine. 

LUTHER   CALDWELL. 

Caldwell  Crescent,  Lynn,  Mass. 

'759  Q  Street,  Washington,  D.  C. 


838 


^PREFACE. 


THE  first  woman's  club  formed  in  Massachusetts  was  Ann  Hutchin- 
son's  Meeting,  organized  to  meet  every  Thursday  morning  in  Boston 
to  examine  the  text  and  criticise  the  sermon  preached  the  Sunday  pre 
vious  by  her  pastor,  Rev.  John  Cotton.  And  almost  at  the  same  time 
Anne  Bradstreet  was  busily  at  work  in  Ipswich  writing  poetry  so  abun 
dantly,  that  John  Harvard  Ellis,  in  his  large  quarto  edition  of  her 
works,  takes  over  four  hundred  pages  to  give  them  all  complete.  Ann 
Hutchinson,  for  her  efforts,  was  tried,  convicted,  and  like  another 
"  Hagar,"  sent  into  the  wilderness.  Anne  Bradstreet  sent  her  writings  to 
London,  where  they  were  printed,  and  she  was  praised  and  eulogized  by 
the  same  learned  and  wise  men  who  prosecuted  Ann  Hutchinson.  Mrs. 
Bradstreet  asked  no  favors,  but  said : 

"  And  oh  ye  high  flown  quills  that  soar  the  Skies, 

And  ever  with  your  prey  still  catch  your  praise, 
If  e'er  you  daigne  these  lowly  lines  your  eyes 

Give  Thyme  or  Parsley  wreath,  I  ask  no  bayes." 

In  this  volume  I  have  had  space  to  give  only  scanty  selections  from 
Anne  Bradstreet's  writings,  and  have  endeavored  to  choose  some  of 
her  best  and  most  harmonious  poetry,  and  took  the  first  thirty-seven 
paragraphs  or  sections  of  her  "  Meditations."  To  those  who  wish  to  read 
her  larger  compositions,  her  "  Quarternions,"  I  refer  to  Mr.  Ellis'  quarto 
work.  I  desire  to  extend  my  thanks  to  Rev.  Augustine  Caldwell,  the 
Historian  and  Genealogist,  for  many  words  of  advice  and  encourage 
ment.  If  this  effort  of  mine,  with  its  text,  quotations  and  illustrations 
shall  create  a  greater  interest  in  Anne  Bradstreet's  writings,  and  of  the 
early  Colonial  history  of  Puritan  Massachusetts,  the  object  of  the 
undersigned  will  have  been  accomplished. 

LUTHER   CALDWELL. 

December  1,  1898. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAGES 

Introductory.  —  The  Editor,  Native  of  Ipswich.  —  Settled  by  Gov 
ernor  Winthrop.  —  Dudley  and  Bradstreet.  —  No  Account  of 
Anne  Bradstreet's  Works. —  Felt's  History  of  Ipswich. —  In 
cident  Felt  Relates  of  Dudley.  —  Anne  Bradstreet  not  a  Myth,  j 

—  A  Lovely  Christian  Woman.  —  Women  of  Paris,  Godless.  — 
France;   the    Huguenots.  —  Anne  Bradstreet  Prayed   to   be   a 
Mother.  —  The   Object  of  this  Volume.  —  Small   Edition.  — 
Misses  Grant  and  Lyons,  also  Mrs.  E.  C.  Cowles  and  Gail  Ham 
ilton. —  Credit  to  John  H.  Ellis,  Helen  Campbell  and  others. 

—  Anne  Bradstreet  Related  to  the  Dennisons,  Hubbards  and 
Wades.  —  A  Mural  Monument 1-4 


CHAPTER  II. 

Anne   Bradstreet.  —  Her   Ipswich   Home.  —  She   Condemned  the 
Beheading  of  Charles  I.  —  Gave  Sympathy  to  Ann  Hutchinson. 

—  Great  Honors  at  her  Death. —  Rev.  John  Norton's  Praises. — 
Cotton  Mather  has  a  Word.  —  John  Rogers'  Verses.  —  Nathan 
iel  Ward  Speaks  of  her  Great  Womanly  Boast.  —  Du  Bartas. 

—  First  Edition  Printed,  London,  1650.  —  Love  Verses.  —  Life 
at  Ipswich.  —  Among  her  Friends  at  Ipswich.  —  Johnson  and 
Mather   Speak   in    High  Praise    of  Ipswich  Settlers.  —  Rude 
Home  on  High  Street.—  Table  Talker.—  Richard  Sutton  Buys 

Log  House;    Ipswich  Name S~12 


VI  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  III. 

Married  at  Sixteen  Years  Old.  —  Arabella,  Ship. — Ten  Years  in 
Ipswich.  —  First  Born.  —  Cambridge.  —  Moved  to  Andover  in 
1644.  —  At  Six  Began  Study  of  Scriptures.  —  Fit  of  Sickness. 

—  At  Sixteen,  the  Lord  Layd  His  Hand.  —  Small  Pox.  —  Pride 
and  Vanity.  —  Anne's  Husband  Strikingly  Handsome.  —  Entry 
in  her  Journal.  —  Joined  the  Boston  Church.  —  Ipswich  Home. 

—  Husband  Absent.  —  Mother    and    Sister.  —  Two   Poetical 
Love  Missives 13-16 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Bradstreet  Children.  —  Early  Marriages. —  Governor  Winthrop.  — 
Sir  William  Phipps.  —  Puritan  Household. —  Mother  of  Eight 
Children:  Four  Boys,  Four  Girls.  —  William  E.  Channing. 

—  Rev.  Mr.  Buckminster.  —  Holmes.  —  Phillips.  —  The  Danas. 
-Work   at  Ipswich. —  Nathaniel  Ward.  —  Edward  Phillips, 

Nephew  of  Milton.  —  No  Portrait.  —  Unknown  Grave.  — 
Poems,  Published  1650.  —  Faith  in  Prayer.  —  The  Bird's  Poem. 
— Cotton  Mather  in  "  Magnalia." — Good  Student. —  Prof.  C.  E. 
Norton  Paints  her  Picture 17-23 

CHAPTER  V. 

Gov.  Thomas  Dudley.  —  Her  Father.  —  Queen  Elizabeth's  Army. 
Siege  of  Amiens. — Thomas  Dudley's  Marriage  ;  Wife's  Maiden 
Name  not  Given.  —  He  Became  a  Puritan. —  Emigrated  to 
America  1630.  —  Winthrop.  —  Dudley  and  Bradstreet. —  Pal 
frey's  Words.  —  Dudley's  Lines.  —  Ann  Hutchinson.  —  John 
Cotton. — Antinomian  Fight. — Rufus  Choate's  Toast. — Women 
Preachers.  —  Thomas  K.  Beecher. — Independents.  —  Professor 
Norton.  —  Joseph  Dudley.  —  "  One  Sad  Losel."  —  Ipswich 
Patriots.  —  John  Wise 24-31 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Simon  Bradstreet.  —  Born  March,  1603.  —  At  Cambridge.  —  Emi 
grated  with  Winthrop  and  Dudley.  —  Ten  Years  in  Ipswich.  — 
Holds  Many  Offices.  —  Anne  Bradstreet's  Death.  —  Andover 
Houses.  —  Bradstreet's  Second  Marriage.  —  Bradstreet  Toler 
ant.  —  Quakers.  —  Bradstreet's  Glorious  Ending.  —  Grand  Old 


CONTENTS.  Vll 

Man. —  Labadist. —  Sir  Edmund  Andros.  —  His  Tyranny.— 
Taxes  Lands.  —  New  Registry.  —  Muzzling  the  Press.  —  Mar 
riages  Taxed. —  Puritan  Churches  Seized. —  Episcopal  Service. 

—  King  James'  Flight. — William,  Prince  of  Orange.  —  Revolu 
tion,  1689.  —  Boys  Parade  with  Clubs. —  Massachusetts  Free.  — 
John  Wise.  —  Simon  Bradstreet  Governor  till  '92.  —  His  Death. 

-  Felt 32-37 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Puritan.  —  Pilgrim.  —  One  Fled.  —  The  Other  Fought.  —  Puritans 
Thrived.  —  Jesuits.  —  Inquisition.  —  Cromwell.  —  Common 
Schools.  —  Colleges.  —  Town  Taxed  to  Support.  —  Education 
and  Religion. —  Puritans  Ready  to  Fight  or  Pray.  —  Quebec. 
Wolfe.  —  Canada.  —  Tea  Party. —  Boston  Massacre.  —  Lexing 
ton. —  Boston.  —  Bunker  Hill.  —  Webster's  Speech 38-41 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Editorial  Miscellany. —  A  Fancy  Picture. —  A  Negative.  —  A  Witch 
and  Ghost  Story.  —  Edmund  H.  Garrett.  —  Artist  and  Author. 

—  Ipswich  and  North  Andover  Houses.  —  View  up  High  Street. 
—  Grave  Unknown.  —  No  Portrait.  —  Salem  House.  —  Captain 
Gardner.  —  Bradstreet's    Second    Wife.  —  Dudley  and    Brad- 
street  Houses,  Cambridge. — Fore-Ordination. — Portrait  of  Gov 
ernor    Bradstreet.  —  John  Adams,'   Picture. —  Sam'l    Adams' 
Speech.  —  Troops   Removed.  —  English    High   Street.  —  The 
Puritane  One.  —  Scene   from   "  Drunken  Barnaby's  Tour."- 
Extravaganza 42-49 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Selections. — Extracts  from  "  Contemplations." —  Anne  Bradstreet's 
Childhood.  —  Du  Bartas.  —  Winter  and  Spring.  —  The  Coming 
Spring.  —  The  Author  to  her  Book.  —  Her  Last  Poem.  — 
Death.  —  Simon  Bradstreet,  Jr. 50-56 

CHAPTER   X. 
Meditations,  Divine  and  Morall. —  Letter  to  her  Sonne  and  Children. 

Thirty-Seven  Sections.     End. 57-64 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


ANNE  BRADSTREET  (Frontispiece] see  page    42 

TITLE  PAGE,  FIRST  EDITION,  LONDON,  1650 8 

ANDOVER  HOUSE 12 

IPSWICH  HOUSE 15 

VIEW  OF  HIGH  STREET,  IPSWICH 26 

SIMON  BRADSTREET 32 

SALEM  HOUSE 44 

"  PURITANE  ONE  " 49 

AUTOGRAPH  LETTER  56 

AUTOGRAPH  SIGNATURE 57 


viii 


CHAPTER   I. 


INTRODUCTORY. 

THIS  sketch  of  the  life  and  selections  from  the  works  of 
Anne  Bradstreet  does  not  make  any  pretense  to  brilliancy  or 
originality ;  nor  does  it  claim  to  be  a  full  and  exhaustive  narration 
of  her  life,  or  of  her  poetical  writings.  The  Editor,  a  native  of 
Ipswich,  where  the  greater  part  of  her  literary  labors  were 
performed,  found  no  record  of  her  long  residence  there  that 
identified  her  and  her  poems  with  that  old  town,  which  was  settled 
by  not  only  Governor  Winthrop  the  younger,  but  by  Lieutenant- 
Governor  Dudley,  and  Governor  Bradstreet,  the  father  and  hus 
band  of  this  lady.  I  could  not,  after  diligent  search,  find  among 
all  my  friends  in  Ipswich,  or  in  any  of  its  well-equipped  libraries, 
very  much  of  her  history,  only  a  line  or  so  of  her  poetry ;  all  I 
could  learn  was,  that  she  and  her  family  lived  somewhere  on 
High  Street ;  but  whence  she  came  or  whither  she  went  no  one 
seemed  to  know. 

I  felt  it  my  duty,  therefore,  to  seek  abroad  for  some  records 
giving  me  an  inkling  of  her  life  and  labors.  That  faithful  and 
accurate  chronicler,  the  Rev.  Joseph  B.  Felt,  in  his  history  of 
Ipswich,  which  is  a  sumptuous  collection  of  dates,  names,  incidents 
and  brief  biographical  sketches,  and  events  of  every  kind  and 
degree,  scarcely  mentions  the  name  of  our  poetess.  He  gives  a 
brief  mention  of  her  father,  Thomas  Dudley,  Governor,  and  of 
her  husband,  Governor  Simon  Bradstreet.  Mr.  Felt  does  mention 
an  'exciting  incident  at  Ipswich,  wherein  both  Mr.  Dudley  and 


2  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

Mr.  Bradstreet  were  concerned ;  as  also  the  minister,  Rev. 
Nathaniel  Rogers,  in  a  dispute  about  town  affairs ;  when  Mr. 
Dudley,  becoming  angry,  "in  a  Puritan  fit  of  temper,"  used  this 
speech  to  the  minister :  "  Do  you  think  to  come  here  with  your 
eldership  to  carry  matters  ?  "  Mr.  Dudley  was  somewhat  hard  to 
be  convinced  that  such  language  was  indecorous,  but  at  last 
confessed  it  was  so,  and  peace  followed. 

Before  I  commenced  my  readings  and  study  of  the  life  of 
Anne  Bradstreet,  she  was  to  me  a  myth,  without  form  or  comeli 
ness,  only  a  name ;  now  she  is  a  living  reality,  one  of  my  nearest 
and  dearest  friends,  with  whom  I  am  well  acquainted,  and  the 
more  I  learn  of  her  and  her  noble  Christian  character,  the  more 
I  cherish  and  admire  this  extraordinary  woman.  Some  one  says, 
"  An  undevout  astronomer  is  mad,"  but  an  atheistic,  unbelieving, 
prayerless  woman,  however  well  advanced  in  literature  and  the 
sciences,  is  devoid  of  one  thing  needful,  the  most  graceful  and 
important,  and  lacking  in  a  womanly  quality,  needed  more  than 
all  else. 

In  comparison  with  such  a  godless  woman,  however  much 
she  may  be  sought  and  petted  by  society,  I  prefer  even  the  devotee, 
who  counts  her  beads,  and  with  prayers  uncountable  in  her  lonely 
cell,  leads  a  pious,  praying,  believing  life.  When  the  women  of 
Paris  became  the  followers  of  Voltaire,  and  his  infidel  notions, 
then  came  the  bloody  revolution  against  society  with  the  horrid 
work  of  the  guillotine.  France  has  never  recovered  from  the 
slaughter  of  the  Huguenots,  the  Puritans  of  that  nation,  and  the 
guillotine  of  the  French  Revolution  was  taught  and  assured  by 
the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes. 

Anne  Bradstreet  was  a  devout,  religious  woman  of  the  most 
advanced  Puritan  faith  and  practice,  and  had  no  place  in  her 
heart  for  the  modern  fashion  of  being  a  wife  and  not  a  mother  ; 
of  being  proud  of  a  husband,  and  ashamed  of  bearing  children. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  3 

She  says,  "  It  pleased  God  to  keep  me  a  long  time  without  a  child, 
which  was  a  great  grief  to  me,  and  cost  me  many  prayers  and 
tears  before  I  obtained  one,  and  after  him  gave  me  many  more." 
Again  she  writes,  "  I  have  had  great  experience  of  God's  hearing 
my  prayers  and  returning  comfortable  answers  to  me,  either  in 
granting  the  thing  prayed  for,  or  else  in  satisfying  my  mind 
without  it." 

It  is  the  object  of  this  little  volume  to  make  the  Puritan 
mother  and  poetess,  the  beloved  and  loving  wife,  and  the  Christian 
woman  better  known  to  the  people  of  Ipswich  at  home  or  abroad. 
It  is  published  as  a  work  of  love,  and  not  for  profit  or  gain. 
A  small  edition  not  to  exceed  five  hundred  will  be  printed,  and 
then  the  type  distributed ;  and  those  readers  who  wish  to  learn 
further  of  Mrs.  Bradstreet  or  her  writings,  must  seek  it  in  more 
pretentious  volumes. 

Anne  Bradstreet  is  not  the  only  woman  of  Ipswich  who  has 
honored  this  ancient  town  by  a  residence  and  home  therein.  The 
names  of  Zilpah  P.  Grant,  Mary  Lyons  and  Eunice  C.  Cowles  as 
educators  and  devoted  Christian  women,  as  principals  at  the 
head  of  the  Ipswich  Female  Seminary,  are  well  and  widely 
known ;  and  Gail  Hamilton,  a  writer  on  social,  political  and 
reformatory  topics,  has  a  national  fame,  and  as  a  grandchild, 
Ipswich  claims  some  right  and  title  to  her  well-earned  reputation. 

The  Editor  gives  credit  as  follows :  First,  to  Mr.  John 
Harvard  Ellis  for  extracts  of  prose  and  verse,  as  also  of  much 
information  contained  in  his  copious  and  elegant  edition  of  Anne 
Bradstreet's  works,  and  begs  to  recommend  that  valuable  book  to 
every  New  England  Public  Library  that  may  be  so  fortunate  as 
to  find  a  copy.  Also  to  Helen  Campbell  for  valuable  aid  derived 
from  a  perusal  of  her  book,  "  Anne  Bradstreet  and  Her  Time." 
The  "  Cyclopedia  of  Colonial  History,"  "  Bancroft's  History," 
"  Palfrey's  History  of  New  England,"  and  "  Felt's  History  of 


4  AKNE    BRADSTREET. 

Ipswich,"  have  all  contributed  to  assist  the  Editor  of  this  book  in  its 
preparation.  As  only  two  hundred  and  fifty  copies  of  Ellis's  book 
were  printed,  a  copy  of  it  is  hard  to  obtain ;  Helen  Campbell's  is 
more  suitable  for  general  circulation,  but  the  great  mass  of  readers 
need  something  smaller  yet  as  to  price,  as  well  as  a  saving  of  time 
in  its  reading. 

As  Anne  Bradstreet  spent  ten  years  of  her  active  life  in 
Ipswich,  as  five  of  her  eight  children  were  born  there,  as  she  was 
related  by  marriage  to  the  General  Dennison  and  the  Wade  families 
of  that  town,  and  further,  as  all  writers  agree,  that  the  most  of 
her  literary  work  was  done  in  Ipswich,  I  therefore  have  felt  a 
pleasure  to  put  on  record  in  a  compact  form,  but  briefly,  something 
to  show  to  future  generations  these  facts. 

One  more  thought  and  I  '11  close  this  chapter.  It  has  been 
suggested  that  a  suitable  monument  ought  to  be  erected  to  Anne 
Bradstreet.  She  was  the  earliest  New  England  woman  who,  in 
an  age  and  among  people  where  the  great  majority  did  not  approve 
of  woman  taking  any  public  position  as  either  speaker  or  writer, 
this  woman  dared  to  do  the  opposite,  and  live  up  to  her  convic 
tions  and  opportunities.  Mrs.  Bradstreet  said  that  she 

/"Was  obnoxious  to  each  carping  tongue 
\\Vho  says  my  hand  a  needle  better  fits." 

The  women,  the  Colonial  Dames  of  Massachusetts,  could  do 
no  more  fitting  and  graceful  act,  than  thus  to  honor  the  pioneer 
of  their  sex,  who  blazed  a  path  to  literary  fame  amid  much 
reproach  and  distrust.  No  more  appropriate  locality  for  such  a 
mural  monument  to  Anne  Bradstreet  could  be  named  than  Ipswich, 
where  the  most  of  her  poetical  and  literary  labor  was  performed. 


CHAPTER   II. 


ANNE  BRADSTREET  AND  HER  IPSWICH  HOME. 

AMONG  the  honorable  and  notable  persons  who  came  to 
Massachusetts  in  the  good  ship  Arabella,  in  1630,  and  landed 
at  Salem,  was  Madame  Anne  Bradstreet,  the  daughter  of  one  and 
wife  of  another  of  the  early  Governors  of  that  Colony. 

Anne  Bradstreet,  the  Puritan  poetess,  and  the  first  American 
author  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  descent,  either  male  or  female,  who 
wrote  poetry,  was  as  talented  a  J>rose  writer  as  in  versification. 
According  to  many  able  and  learned  men  of  her  time,  she  was 
the  most  remarkable,  level-headed  and  self-poised  intellectual 
woman  of  the  early  Colonial  times,  and  a  Christian  woman,  de 
vout  and  conscientious,  of  the  loftiest  Puritan  faith.  In  liberal 
ideas  and  toleration,  she  was  far  ahead  of  her  cold,  crusty,  Puri 
tan  surrounding ;  with  her  former  minister,  John  Cetton,  she  gave 
sympathy  to  Ann  Hutchinson,  and  was  so  conservative  that  among 
her  Puritan  fnends  she  openly  condemned  the  beheading  of 
Charles  I  by  the  Round  Head  and  Rump  Parliament. 

At  her  death  honors  and  laurels  were  heaped  unstintedly 
upon  her  name,  and  laudatory  sermons  commemorative  were 
preached  in  all  the  principal  churches  of  the  Colony,  funeral 
elegies  and  addresses,  hours  in  length,  were  delivered  according 
to  the  dearest  and  dreariest  form  of  Puritan  custom. 

Among  all  these  elegies,  we  call  attention  to  that  by  Rev. 
John  Norton,  a  nephew  of  Rev.  John  Norton,  minister  of  Ipswich, 
and  later  of  the  first  church  of  Boston,  which  is  a  sample  of  many 


6  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

others.  This  was  a  poetical  effusion,  and  with  head-lines  and 
blazing  titles  was  published.  I  copy  herewith  the  headings  and 
titles  as  they  were  printed  at  that  time. 

A  FUNERAL  ELOGY, 

Upon  that  Pattern  and  Patron  of  Virtue,  the  truly  pious,  peerless  &•» 
matchless  Gentlewoman 

MRS.  ANNE   BRADSTREET, 
right  Panaretes,* 

Mirror  of  her  Age,  Glory  of  her  Sex,  ivho,se  Heaven-born-Sonl  leaving 

its  earthly  S'hrine,  chose  its  native  home,  and  was  taken 

to  its  Rest  upon  i6th  Sept.  1672. 

I  give  herewith  a  specially  selected  clipping. 

"  Grave  Matron,  whoso  seeks  to  blazon  thee, 
Needs  not  make  use  of  witts  false  Heraldry; 
Whoso  should  give  thee  all  thy  worth  would  swell 
So  high,  as  'twould  turn  the  world  infidel. 
Had  he  great  Maro^s  Muse,  or  Tully's  tongue, 
Or  raping  numbers  like  the  Thracian  Song, 
In  crowning  of  her  merits  he  would  be 
Sumptuously  poor,  low  in  Hyperbole." 

Cotton  Mather,  in  his  Magnalia,  writes  of  Anne  Bradstreet 
and  thus  introduces  her  : 

"  If  the  rarejearning  of  a  daughter  was  not  the  least  of  those 
bright  things,  which  adorned  no  less  a  Judge  of  England  than  Sir 
Thomas  Moore,  it  must  now  be  said  that  a  Judge  of  New  England, 
namely,  Thomas  Dudley,  Esq.,  had  a  daughter  (besides  other 
children)  to  be  a  crown  unto  him.  Reader,  America  justly  admires 
the  learned  women  of  the  other  hemisphere.  She  has  heard  of 
those  that  were  witnesses  to  the  old  professors  of  all  philosophy. 

*  Greek,  All  virtuous. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  7 

.  .  .  America  now  prays  that  into  the  catalogues  of  authoresses 
as  Beverovicius,  Hottinges  and  Voetries  have  given  unto  the 
world,  there  may  be  a  room  now  given  unto  Madame  Bradstreet, 
the  daughter  of  our  Governor  Dudley,  and  the  consort  of  our 
Governor  Bradstreet,  whose  poems,  divers  times  printed,  have 
afforded  a  grateful  entertainment  unto  the  ingenious,  and  a  monu 
ment  for  her  memory  beyond  the  stateliest  marble." 

Rev.  John  Rogers,  of  Ipswich,  son  of  Rev.  Nathaniel  Rogers, 
of  that  town,  and  for  a  time  President  of  Harvard  College,  wrote 
a  poem  of  nine  verses,  wherein  he  classically  "and  enthusiastically 
extols  and  commends  Anne  Bradstreet's  writings  to  the  learned 
men  of  that  day.  I  herewith  insert  two  stanzas. 

Cotton  Mather  says,  "  He  was  one  of  so  sweet  a  Temper,  that 
the  title  of  Delicice  humani  Generis  might  have  on  that  score  been 
given  him,  and  his  real  Piety  set  off  with  the  accomplishments  of 
a  Gentleman,  as  a  Gem  set  in  Gold" 

"  Madam,  twice  through  the  Muses  Grove  I  walkt, 

Under  your  blissfull  bowres,  I  shrowding  there, 
It  seenvd  with  Nymphs  of  Helicon  I  talkt: 

For  there  those  sweet-lip' d  Sisters  sporting  were, 
Apollo  with  his  sacred  Lute  sate  by, 
On  high  they  made  their  heavenly  Sonnets  flye, 
Posies  around  they  strow'd,  of  sweetest  Poesie. 

"  Your  only  hand  those  Poesies  did  compose, 

Your  head  the  source,  whence  all  those  springs  did  flow, 

Your  voice,  whence  changes  sweetest  notes  arose, 
Your  feet  that  kept  the  dance,  alone,  I  trow; 

Then  vail  your  bonnets,  Poetasters  all, 

Strike,  lower  amain,  and  at  them  humbly  fall, 

And  deem  yourselves  advanc'd,  to  be  her  pedestal." 

Nathaniel  Ward,  minister  of  Ipswich,  we  summons  to  speak 
next,  which  he  does  in  his  caustic  and  quaint  style.     He  refers  to 


ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

the  French  Du  Bartas,  whom  Anne  Bradstreet  is  supposed  to  have 
made  her  beau  ideal. 

"  Mercury  shew'd  Appollo,  Bartas  Book, 
Minerva  this,  and  wish't  him  well  to  look, 
And  tell  uprightly  which  did  which  excell, 
He  view'd  and  view'd,  and  vow'd  he  could  not  tel. 
They  bid  him  Hemisphear  his  mouldy  nose, 
With  's  crack't  leering  glasses,  for  it  would  pose 
The  best  brains  he  had  in  's  old  pudding-pan, 
Sex  weigh'd,  which  best,  the  Woman  or  the  Man  ? 
He  peer'd  and  por'd  &  glar'd,  &  said  for  wore, 
I  'me  even  as  wise  now,  as  I  was  before ; 
They  both  'gan  laugh,  and  said  it  was  no  mar'l 
The  Auth'ress  was  a  right  Du  Bartas  Girle, 
Good  sooth  quoth  the  old  Don,  tell  ye  me  so, 
I  muse  whither  at  length  these  Girls  will  go; 
It  half  revives  my  chil  frost-bitten  blood, 
To  see  a  Woman  once,  do  aught  that's  good; 
And  chode  by  Chaucer's  Book,  and  Homer's  Furrs, 
Let  Men  look  to  't,  least  Women  wear  the  Spurrs." 

N.  Ward. 

Anne  Bradstreet  lived  in  Ipswich  for  ten  years,  from  1634  to 
1644.  Her  active  intellectual  labor  was  at  this  town,  and  the 
memory  of  that  residence  added  new  fame  and  reputation  to  this 
ancient  place. 

Helen  Campbell,  in  her  life  of  this  lady,  says,  "  It  was  before 
the  final  change  from  Ipswich  to  Andover,  that  the  chief  part  of 
Anne  Bradstreet's  literary  work  was  done,  the  ten  years  after  her 
arrival  in  New  England  being  the  only  fruitful  ones." 

Though  the  manuscript  of  the  first  edition  of  Anne  Brad- 
street's  poems  was  nearly  complete  before  she  removed  from 
Ipswich,  some  years  elapsed  before  it  left  her  hands,  and  was  taken 
to  London  where  it  was  published  in  1650. 


{ «Sr£riIftJr4ri!r3r£o^^ 

THE 

TENTH  MUSE 

Lately  fprung  up  in  AMERICA. 
OR 

|  Severall  Poems,  compiled 

with  great  variety  of  Wit 
and  Learningjfull  of  delight. 

Wherein  efpecially  is  contained  a  corn- 
pleat  dileourie  and  defcription  ol  . 
^  Elcnif-ntt* 

mt        T*  \    (  '  :/;/5, 

The  Four 

(  >  fike  Tear. 

Together  witli  an   K\ac"t   E  :e  of 

the  Four  Monarch! 


The 

ig  Alib  a  Dialogue  bi'tuvt-n  Old  England  and 
New, concerning  the  late  troubles, 

"With  divers  other  pieafant  and  feriou*  Poems. 
J>y  a  Gentlewoman  in  thole  parts. 

Printed  at  l^ondnn  for  S/>  ph<<n  />'/>:  -{, •//  at  tlie  fi.ijne  of  the| 

Bible  in  Popes  I  lead- Alley.     1650. 
J  Jp-QJ^jfjQjgjg^^  I 

TITLE  PAGE,   FIRST   EDITION,    LONDON,    1650. 
(See  page  8.) 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  9 

While  Mrs.  Bradstreet  had  steadily  pursued  her  studious, 
literary  work,  there  is  no  sign  that  for  all  those  years  of  labor  at 
Ipswich  she  sought  any  recompense  by  the  publication  of  her 
poems,  either  for  profit  or  to  satisfy  a  laudable  ambition.  No 
doubt  her  near  friends  were  aware  of  her  learning  and  her  poetic 
genius.  Nathaniel  Ward,  her  Ipswich  minister,  and  John  Cotton, 
the  minister  of  Boston,  both  men  of  culture  and  acquirements  and 
near  and  intimate  friends  of  hers,  were  made  cognizant  of  many 
of  her  best  efforts.  But  Anne  Bradstreet  seems  to  have  been 
perfectly  indifferent  to  the  applause  of  the  multitude,  she  lived 
with  her  family  and  for  them  only.  Not  till  her  relative,  Rev. 
John  Woodbridge~  urged  upon  her  the  importance  and  the  desira 
bility  of  their  publication,  did  she  consent  thereto,  and  then  most 
doubtfully  and  reluctantly.  As  Mr.  Woodbridge  was  in  1647 
about  to  return  to  England,  a  copy  of  her  poems  for  publica 
tion  was  committed  to  his  care.  After  many  delays  they  were 
printed  and  published  at  London  in  1650,  and  a  J 'etc  simile  copy 
of  the  title  page  of  the  first  edition  is  presented  to  the  readers  of 
this  volume. 

She  moved  to  Ipswich  bejore  she  was  twenty-two  years  of 
age,  her  husband's  and  her  father's  family  being  among  the  first 
settlers  of  that  town,  the  church  of  Ipswich  being  the  ninth 
church  of  the  Colony.  One  writer  says  as  to  this  Ipswich  home, 
"The  loneliness  and  craving  of  her  Ipswich  life,  had  forced  her 
to  composition  as  a  relief,  and  the  major  part  of  her  poems  were 
written  before  she  was  thirty  years  of  age."  If  this  statement  be 
true,  that  the  loneliness  of  her  Ipswich  life,  whether  caused  by  the 
long  absence  of  her  husband  from  home,  or  because  Ipswich  was 
at  that  time  particularly  exposed  to  attacks  from  the  hostile  In 
dians,  and  therefore  she  was  forced  to  seek  relief  by  study  and 
composition,  it  agrees  with  the  melodious  utterances  of  Cicero  in 
praise  of  literature,  "  that  other  occupations  do  not  belong  alike 


10  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

to  every  time,  or  age,  or  place.  These  instruct  our  youth,  delight 
our  age ;  they  adorn  prosperity,  they  bestow  a  refuge  and  solace 
in  time  of  adversity."  The  absence  of  her  husband,  Governor 
Simon  Bradstreet,  on  public  business  at  Boston,  Newe  Towne  or 
Cambridge,  was  a  severe  trial  to  her,  and  she  writes  several  pieces 
thereon,  some  parts  of  which  we  copy  in  this  publication.  These 
four  lines  we  insert  here. 

My  head,  my  heart,  mine  eyes,  my  life,  my  more, 

My  joy,  my  magazine  of  earthly  store, 

If  we  be  one,  as  surely  thou  and  I, 

How  stayest  thou  there  whilst  I  at  Ipswich  lie? 

There  were  other  things  which  perhaps  she  may  have  objected 
to  in  Ipswich.  It  was  a  frontier  or  border  town,  and  by  land  and 
water  liable  to  invasion  from  the  Indians.  The  ocean  on  the  east 
rolled  three  thousand  miles  away  to  her  English  home  and  friends, 
the  north  and  west  was  a  wild  wilderness  stretching,  away  to 
Canada,  only  enemies  in  that  direction ;  no  roads  or  drives,  an 
Indian  trail  led  away  out  of  Ipswich  through  these  primitive  for 
ests.  The  prowling  wolves  and  dashing  bears,  venomous  rattle 
snakes  and  lurking  red  man  in  ambush  everywhere.  Even  her 
servants  were  in  many  instances  the  native  Indian  women  from 
the  neighborhood.  The  deer  and  moose,  as  also  the  wild  turkeys 
and  other  such  game,  furnished  abundant  food,  while  fish  in  great 
quantities  were  in  every  stream,  river  and  inlet. 

From  her  rude  home  on  High  Street  she  could  look  south  on 
a  fair  and  rich  landscape,  no  doubt  with  many  cultivated  fields. 

"  The  river  moving  on  its  ceaseless  way, 
The  verdant  reach  of  meadows  fair  and  green, 
And  the  blue  hills  that  bound  the  sylvan  scene." 

In  1614  Captain  John  Smith  visiting  this  place,  called  then 
Agawam,  says  of  it,  "  Here  are  many  rising  hills,  and  on  their 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  II 

tops  and  descents  are  many  corne  fields  and  delightfull  groves. 
There  are  also  okes,  pines,  walnuts,  and  other  woods  to  make  this 
place  an  excellent  habitation,  with  many  faire  high  groves  of  mul 
berry  trees." 

Anne  Bradstreet  was  among  friends  at  Ipswich,  her  father 
and  mother  lived  here.  It  had  many  leading  officials  residing 
there ;  General  Daniel  Dennison  married  her  sister,  Governor 
Winthrop  the  younger  must  have  been  well  known  to  her,  Governor 
Symonds  lived  at  the  Argilla  district,  Nathaniel  Ward,  the  author 
of  the  "  Simple  Cobbler  of  Agawam,"  and  the  first  settled  pastor 
of  the  Ipswich  church,  was  a  friend  of  her  father's,  as  also  of  her 
husband,  and  her  minister,  as  well  as  a  very  learned  teacher,  and 
one  who  could  give  to  Anne,  intellectual  as  well  as  religious  and 
spiritual  aid.  The  Ipswich  settlement  was  full  of  wise,  learned 
and  genial  men  and  women. 

Cotton  Mather,  speaking  of  Ipswich  in  1638,  says,  "  Here  was 
a  renouned  church,  consisting  mostly  of  such  illuminated  Chris 
tians,  that  their  pastors,  in  the  exercise  of  their  ministry,  might  in 
the  language  of  Jerome,  '  perceive  that  they  had  not  disciples  so 
much  as  judges. '  ' 

Johnson  remarks,  "  The  peopling  of  this  towne  Ipswich  is  by 
men  of  good  rank  and  quality,  many  of  them  having  the  yearly 
revenue  of  large  lands  in  England." 

Many  comfortable  associations  made  it  a  home  desirable.  In 
the  epitaph  which  was  placed  upon  her  father's  grave,  among  other 
things  it  is  said  of  him  that  he  was 

"  A  table  talker  rich  in  sense, 
And  witty  without  wit's  pretense." 

To  entertain  *at  the  table  must  have  been  a  favorite  gift,  even 
among  the  Puritans,  a  sort  of  an  "  Autocrat  of  the  breakfast 
table."  Perhaps  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  who  descended  from 


12  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

the  Dudleys  and  Bradstreets,  also  inherited  that  popular  quality, 
"  A  table  talker  rich  in  sense." 

In  moving  away  from  Ipswich  to  Andover,  Anne  Bradstreet 
went  deeper  into  the  wilderness,  among  beasts,  reptiles  and 
Indians.  A  log  house  was  erected  at  Andover,  consisting  of  four 
large  rooms,  where  the  Bradstreets  resided  till  their  new  large 
house  was  ready  to  receive  them,  then  the  log  house  was  sold  to 
one  Richard  Sutton,  a  name  not  unknown  to  Ipswich,  where 
Richard  Suttons  have  long  and  for  successive  generations  been 
known.  I  know  not  if  this  Sutton  who  bought  the  log  house  be 
ancestor  to  the  Ipswich  Suttons. 


3-    d 

.     3-     O 


i 


CHAPTER    III. 


ANNE  BRADSTREET  AS  LOVER  AND  WIFE. 

BORN  in  1612,  married  at  sixteen,  in  1628,  emigrated  and 
sailed  for  America  on  April  8,  1630,  in  the  ship  Arbella,  or 
often  spelled  Arabella,  a  ship  of  goodly  size  for  those  times,  being 
three  hundred  and  fifty  tons  burden ;  with  Governor  Winthrop, 
Sir  Richard  Saltonstall,  Isaac  Johnson,  author  of  "  Wonder  Work 
ing  Providence,"  and  his  wife,  Lady  Arbella,  sister  of  the  Earl  of 
Lincoln,  her  father  and  mother  and  her  husband,  with  others  of 
fine  education  and  culture,  as  passengers  on  the  same  ship.  Lived 
in  Charlestown,  Newtowne  or  Cambridge,  and  Bo'ston  from  the  time 
of  her  landing  till  the  removal  to  the  settlement  of  Ipswich  in 
1634.  Resided  ten  years  in  that  town,  and  in  1644  or  1645  re 
moved  to  North  Andover,  where  she  lived  till  her  death  in  1672. 

In  1633  Anne  Bradstreet  gave  birth  to  her  first-born,  Samuel, 
who  graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1653.  He  was  likely  born 
at  Cambridge,  before  the  removal  to  Ipswich.  Five  children  fol 
lowing  the  first  were  born  at  Ipswich.  She  writes,  "  It  pleased 
God  to  keep  me  a  long  time  without  a  child,  which  was  a  great 
grief  to  me,  and  cost  me  many  prayers  and  tears  before  I  obtained 
one,  and  after  I  obtained  one,  and  after  him  gave  me  many  more 
of  whom  I  now  take  the  care."  Dorothy  came  next,  1635,  b°rn 
at  Ipswich. 

Anne  Dudley  no  doubt  received  careful  training,  as  was  the 
custom  of  such  families.  She  studied  the  Scriptures  at  six  and 
seven,  and  writes  that,  "  In  my  young  years,  about  six  or  seven,  I 


14  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

began  to  make  conscience  of  my  ways,  and  what  I  knew  was  sin 
ful,  as  lying,  disobedience  to  parents,  I  avoided." 

"  In  a  long  fit  of  sickness  which  I  had  on  my  bed,  I  often 
communed  with  my  heart  and  made  my  supplication  to  the  Most 
High,  who  sett  me  free  from  that  affliction."  Again  she  writes 
of  herself,  just  before  her  marriage  and  after  she  had  recovered : 

"  But  as  I  grew  up  to  bee  about  forteen  or  fifteen  I  found  my 
heart  more  carnall  anc\  sitting  loose  from  God,  vanity  and  the 
follys  of  youth  take  hold  of  me. 

"  About  sixteen,  the  Lord  layd  his  hand  sore  upon  me  and 
smott  mee  with  the  small-pox.  When  I  was  in  my  affliction,  I 
besought  the  Lord,  and  .confessed  my  Pride  and  Vanity  and  he 
was  entreated  of  me,  and  again  restored  me.  But  I  rendered  not 
to  him  according  to  ye  benefit  received." 

Here  is  the  only  hint  as  to  personal  appearance.  "  Pride 
and  Vanity,  are  more  or  less  associated  with  a  fair  countenance, 
and  though  no  record  gives  slightest  detail  as  to  form  or  feature, 
there  is  every  reason  to  suppose  that  the  event,  very  near  at  hand, 
which  altered  every  prospect  in  life,  was  influenced  in  degree,  at 
least,  by  considerations  slighted  in  later  years,  but  having  full 
weight  with  both."  That  Thomas  Dudley  was  a  "very  personable 
man,"  we  know,  and  there  are  hints  that  his  daughter  resembled 
him,  though  it  was  against  the  spirit  of  the  time  to  record  mere 
accidents  of  coloring  or  shape.  But  Anne's  future  husband  was  a 
strikingly  handsome  man,  not  likely  to  ignore  such  advantages  in 
the  wife  he  chose,  and  we  may  think  of  her  as  slender  and  dark, 
with  heavy  hair  and  clear,  thoughtful  eyes. 

She  makes  an  entry  in  her  journal  or  diary  after  reaching 
Boston,  New  England :  "  After  a  short  time  I  changed  my  condition 
and  was  married,  and  came  into  this  country,  where  I  found  a 
new  world  and  new  manners,  at  which  my  heart  rose.  But  after 
I  was  convinced  it  was  the  will  of  God,  I  submitted  to  it  and 


w 


.,.» .»,—.       c 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  15 

joined  the  church  at  Boston."  She  was  only  sixteen  when  mar 
ried,  and  it  was  not  unusual  at  that  time  to  be  married  at  so  early 
an  age,  especially  among  the  Puritans,  for  of  them  it  was  said, 
"They  married  early  and  often,"  if  occasion  gave  opportunity. 
So  long  as  they  lived  at  Cambridge  her  husband  was  at  home 
constantly.  The  General  Court  was  a  legislative  body,  as  well 
as  a  Court  of  Record,  and  the  court  of  last  resort  and  final  appeal 
for  all  judicial  matters.  The  official  duties  of  Governor  Simon 
Bradstreet,  and  as  a  magistrate,  were  numerous  and  exacting ;  it 
required  all  his  time,  but  being  near  his  home  and  wife,  she  was 
never  long  left  alone,  but  continuously  enjoyed  her  husband's 
society.  They  lived  in  the  central  and  business  part  of  the  Col 
ony,  but  when  her  father  and  husband  removed  to  Ipswich,  far 
away  from  the  center  of  the  Colony,  their  duties  took  them 
away  from  their  Ipswich  home.  Her  family  was  increasing,  five 
children  were  born  at  Ipswich,  and  this  was  the  time  when  she 
was  most  fruitful  with  her  poems  and  poetry.  Daniel  Dennison, 
of  Ipswich,  had  married  Anne  Bradstreet's  sister ;  he  was  ap 
pointed  Captain  of  Ipswich  by  the  General  Court,  the  troops  to 
train  eight  times  a  year,  the  pay  to  Captain  Dennison  ,£24,  75.  as 
their  military  leader. 

Her  mother,  Dorothy  Dudley,  was  living  at  Ipswich  near  the 
Bradstreet  home,  for  their  homesteads  were  adjoining  each  other 
on  High  Street.  The  two  houses  it  is  supposed  were  located  near 
the  head  of  Mineral  Street,  one-half  mile  from  the  Meeting  House, 
the  farthest  distance  allowed  therefrom  for  dwelling  houses,  by  a 
law  passed  in  1635  by  the  General  Court,  as  a  precaution  against 
Indian  raids. 

The  three  families  so  closely  related,  the  Dudleys,  the 
Dennisons,  and  the  Bradstreets,  thus  living  not  far  apart,  gave  a 
sense  of  security,  with  all  their  "  hired  help "  and  attendants, 
which  they  would  not  otherwise  have  felt. 


1 6  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

When  Anne  moved  to  Ipswich  she  was  twenty-one  or  two 
years  old  and  had  been  married  six  years.  Her  husband,  manly 
in  form  and  of  a  noble,  loving,  generous  nature,  their  lives  ran 
smoothly  and  happily  along.  Any  husband  might  well  be  proud 
of  a  wife  who  could  address  him  as  she  did  in  the  following  lines  : 

A  POETICAL  LOVE  MISSIVE. 
"70  my  dear  and  loving  Husband : 

If  ever  two  were  one  then  surely  we, 

If  ever  man  were  loved  by  wife,  then  thee ; 

If  ever  wife  was  happy  in  a  man, 

Compare  with  me  ye  women  if  you  can. 

I  prize  thy  love  more  than  whole  Mines  of  Gold, 

Or  all  the  riches  that  the  East  doth  hold. 

My  love  is  such  that  Rivers  cannot  quench, 

Nor  aught  but  love  from  thee  give  recompense. 

Thy  love  is  such  I  can  no  way  repay, 

The  heavens  reward  thee,  manifold  I  pray. 

Then  while  we  live  in  love  let 's  so  persevere, 

That  when  we  live  no  more,  we  may  live  ever." 

Again,  the  "  Letter  to  her  husband  absent  upon  some  public 
business,"  away  at  Boston  or  Cambridge,  was  not  printed  in  her 
first  edition,  being  regarded  as  too  personal  to  be  made  public 
during  her  life. 

EXTRACT  OF  LETTER  TO  HER  ABSENT  HUSBAND. 
Return  my  Dear,  my  joy,  my  only  love 
Unto  thine  Hinde,  thy  mullet  and  thy  Dove, 
Who  neither  joys  in  pasture,  house  nor  streams, 
The  substance  gone,  O  me,  these  are  but  dreams. 
Together  at  one  tree  oh  let  us  browse, 
And  like  two  Turtles  roost  within  one  house, 
And  like  the  Mullets  in  one  river  glide, 
Let 's  still  remain  but  one  till  death  divide. 
Thy  loving  Love  and  Dearest  Dear, 
At  home,  abroad,  and  every  where.  A.  B. 


CHAPTER   IV. 


MRS.  ANNE  BRADSTREET'S  CHILDREN. 

((  A  /I  ULTIPLY  and  replenish  the  earth,"  was  a  command  the 
1 V 1  Colonial  Puritans  did  not  fail  to  obey ;  they  had  a  gift 
for  marriage  and  large  families.  Governor  Winthrop  married  three 
times,  and  not  long  time  for  mourning  allowed  between ;  "  he 
could  not  live  alone."  One  of  his  daughters  was  the  mother  of 
eighteen  children.  Sir  William  Phipps,  a  leading  Puritan,  was  one 
of  twenty-one  children,  all  boys ;  Benjamin  Franklin  was  one  of 
seventeen  children.  Population  was  sparce,  work  was  plentiful 
and  so  was  food.  The  Puritan  household  of  the  early  Colonists 
was  one  full  to  overflowing.  The  Psalmist's  appreciation  of  many 
children  was  theirs,  "  As  arrows  are  in  the  hands  of  a  mighty 
hunter,  so  are  the  children  of  the  youth.  Happy  is  the  man  that 
hath  his  quiver  full  of  them." 

Mrs.  Bradstreet  was  the  mother  of  eight  children,  all  but  one, 
Dorothy,  were  living  at  the  time  of  her  death  in  1672.  They  were  : 

First,  SAMUEL,  her  first-born,  who  was  born  at  Cambridge,  and 
graduated  at  Harvard  College  in  1653.  He  practiced  as  a  physi 
cian  in  Boston  many  years.  He  was  twice  married.  He  had 
three  children  living  when  he  died  in  1682,  who  afterward  lived 
with  their  grandfather,  Governor  Bradstreet. 

Second,  DOROTHY,  born  in  Ipswich,  and  married  Rev.  Seaborn 
Cotton,  who  was  son  of  Rev.  John  Cotton,  and  born  on  the  ocean 
during  a  stormy  voyage,  hence  his  Sea-born  ;  his  father  was  a  dear 
friend  of  Mrs.  Bradstreet  and  a  famous  preacher. 


l8  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

Third,  SARAH,  born  in  Ipswich  and  married  Richard  Hubbard 
of  that  town,  a  brother  of  the  historian.  Mrs.  Bradstreet  refers 
to  this  marriage  in  her  "  Bird's  Nest "  simile.  Aurora  means 
Ipswich. 

Fourth,  SIMON,  was  born  in  Ipswich,  September  28,  1640,  and 
graduated  at  Harvard.  He  was  a  minister  and  author,  and  pastor 
of  a  church  in  New  London,  Conn.  It  would  appear  from  the 
following  extract  from  his  diary  that  he  was  prepared  for  college 
at  Ipswich  by  Ezekiell  Cheevers,  1651.  "I  had  my  education  in 
the  same  town  —  Ipswich  —  in  the  free  School,  the  master  of  w'ch 
was  my  ever  respected  friend  Mr.  Ezekiell  Cheevers." 

Fifth,  HANNAH,  born  in  Ipswich  and  married  Andrew 
Wiggins,  of  Exeter,  N.  H.,  died  1707. 

Sixth,  MERCY,  born  in  Ipswich  and  married  Nathaniel  Wade, 
of  Ipswich,  who  afterwards  moved  to  Medford,  where  his  father, 
Jonathan  Wade,  owned  large  tracts  of  land,  and  divided  equally 
with  his  son.  There  was  quite  a  controversy  between  Governor 
Bradstreet  and  Jonathan  Wade  of  Ipswich,  as  to  dower  or  endow 
ment  of  Nathaniel  before  the  marriage  was  consummated.  It 
was  at  last  amicably  settled. 

Seventh,  DUDLEY,  1648,  born  in  Andover,  held  various  public 
offices.  •  In  1698  he  and  his  family  were  captured  by  the  Indians 
at  North  Andover,  and  were  held  captives  but  a  short  time. 

Eighth,  JOHN,  was  born  in  Andover,  July  22,  1652,  and  re 
sided  in  Topsfield,  where  he  married  the  daughter  of  Rev.  William 
Perkins. 

Among  the  descendants  may  be  counted  many  celebrated 
scholars  and  divines :  Dr.  William  E.  Channing ;  the  Rev.  Buck- 
minster,  of  Portsmouth,  and  his  accomplished  son ;  Richard  H. 
Dana  the  poet,  and  his  son,  the  eminent  lawyer.  Also  Dr.  Oliver 
Wendell  Holmes,  the  poet  and  humorist;  Wendell  Phillips  the 
orator,  who  bore  a  striking  resemblance  to  the  old  Simon  Bradstreet, 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  19 

so  long  time  the  Governor,  whose  portrait  is  given  herewith  from 
the  picture  in  the  Senate  Chamber  at  Boston. 

While  Anne  Bradstreet  continued  to  study  and  write  very 
copiously,  and  had  no  thought  of  abandoning  her  literary  labors, 
yet  she  was  aware  that  the  men  of  her  society  looked  with  almost 
as  great  distrust  upon  her  poetry  as  they  did  upon  Mrs.  Hutchin- 
son's  afternoon  services,  in  rehearsing  the  previous  Sunday's  ser 
mons.  Nathaniel  Ward  was  on  record  as  calling  women  offensive 
epithets,  and  comparing  women's  brains  to  "squirrel's."  It  was 
regarded  as  a  great  surprise  that  a  woman  could  compose  or  write 
poetry,  and  her  neighbors  severely,  it  is  said,  criticised  her  passion 
for  poetry.  In  her  Prologue  she  writes  of  these  harping  critics, 

"  I  am  obnoxious  to  each  carping  tongue 

Who  says  my  hand  a  needle  better  fits, 
A  Poet's  pen  all  scorn  I  should  thus  wrong, 

For  such  despite  they  cast  on  female  wits; 
If  what  I  do  prove  well,  it  won't  advance, 
They  '1  say  its  stolen,  or  else  it  was  by  chance." 

Three  years  after  her  death,  Edward  Phillips,  the  nephew  of 
Milton  the  poet,  has  this  brief  notice  of  Anne  Bradstreet  in  his 
Theatrum  Poetarum,  wherein  he  calls  her  a  New  England 
Poetess  : 

"  Anne  Bradstreet,  a  New  England  Poetess,  no  less  in  title ; ' 
viz.,  before  her  Poems,  printed  in  Old  England  anno.  1650,  then 
the  Tenth  Muse  sprang  up  in  America ;  the  memory  of  which 
poems,  consisting  chiefly  of  Descriptions  of  the  Four  Elements, 
the  Four  Humours,  the  Four  Ages,  the  Four  Seasons,  and  the 
Four  Monarchies,  is  not  wholly  extinct." 

Mrs.  Bradstreet's  grave  is  unknown,  and  no  portrait  of  her 
is  in  existence.  Her  character  is  known  to  us  by  her  works  and 
all  the  graces  of  a  most  beautiful  life ;  as  a  dear  mother,  a  faith- 


20  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

ful  wife,  and  a  devout  Christian  who  believed  in  the  efficacy  of 
jjrayer,  and  who  made  her  prayers  and  vows  to  the  Lord,  and 
when  answered  she  gave  praise  to  God,  and  if  not  answered,  she 
ascribed  to  her  Heavenly  Father's  love,  whose  wisdom  knew  what 
to  give  and  what  to  withhold. 

Anne  Bradstreet,  when  a  little  over  thirty,  had  five  children, 
absorbing  much  of  her  thought  and  time,  three  more  being  added 
during  the  first  six  years  at  Andover.  When  five  had  passed  out 
into  the  world  and  homes  of  their  own,  she  wrote,  in  1656,  a  poem 
which  is  really  a  family  biography ;  we  here  insert  it  in  full. 

THE  BIRD'S  NEST. 

"  I  had  eight  birds  hatcht  in  one  nest, 
Four  Cocks  there  were,  and  Hens  the  rest; 
I  nurst  them  up  with  pain  and  care, 
Nor  cost,  nor  labour  did  I  spare, 
Till  at  the  last  they  felt  their  wing, 
Mounted  the  Trees,  and  learned  to  sing; 
Chief  of  the  Brood  then  took  his  flight 
To  regions  far,  and  left  me  quite; 
My  mournful  chirps  I  after  send, 
.Till  he  return,  or  I  do  end; 
Leave  not  thy  nest,  thy  Dam  and  Sire, 
Fly  back  and  sing  amidst  this  Quire. 
My  second  bird  did  take  her  flight, 
And  with  her  mate  flew  out  of  sight; 
Southward  they  both  their  course  did  bend, 
And  Seasons  twain  they  there  did  spend; 
Till  after  blown  by  Southern  gales, 
They  Norward  steer'd  with  filled  Sayles. 
A  prettier  bird  was  no  where  seen, 
Along  the  beach  among  the  treen. 

I  have  a  third  of  colour  white 
On  whom  I  plac'd  no  small  delight; 
Coupled  with  mate  loving  and  trtie, 
Hath  also  bid  her  Dam  adieu; 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  21 

And  where  Aurora  first  appears, 

She  now  hath  percht,  to  spend  her  years. 

One  to  the  Academy  flew 

To  chat  among  that  learned  crew ; 

Ambition  moves  still  in  his  breast 

That  he  might  chant  above  the  rest, 

Striving  for  more  than  to  do  well, 

That  nightingales  he  might  excell. 

My  fifth,  whose  down  is  scarce  yet  gone 

Is  'mongst  the  shrubs  and  bushes  flown, 

And  as  his  wings  increase  in  strength, 

On  higher  boughs  he  '1  pearch  at  length. 

My  other  three,  still  with  me  nest, 

Untill  they  V  grown,  then  as  the  rest, 

Or  here  or  there,  they  '1  take  their  flight, 

As  is  ordain'd,  so  shall  they  light. 

If  birds  could  weep,  then  would  my  tears 

Let  others  know  what  are  my  fears 

Lest  this  my  brood  some  harm  should  catch, 

And  be  surpriz'd  for  want  of  watch, 

Whilst  pecking  corn,  and  void  of  care 

They  fish  un'wares  in  Fowler's  snare; 

Or  whilst  on  trees  they  sit  and  sing, 

Some  untoward  boy  at  them  do  fling; 

Or  whilst  allur'd  with  bell  and  glass, 

The  net  be  spread,  and  caught,  alas. 

Or  least  by  Lime-twigs  they  be  foyl'd, 

Or  by  some  greedy  hawks  be  spoyl'd. 

O,  would  my  young,  ye  saw  my  breast, 

And  knew  what  thoughts  there  sadly  rest, 

Great  was  my  pain  when  I  you  bred, 

Great  was  my  care  when  I  you  fed, 

Long  did  I  keep  you  soft  and  warm, 

And  with  my  wings  keep  off  all  harm; 

My  cares  are  more,  and  fears  than  ever, 

My  throbs  such  now,  as  'fore  were  never; 

A^as,  my  birds,  you  wisdome  want, 

Of  perils  you  are  ignorant ; 


22  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

Oft  times  in  grass,  on  trees,  in  flight, 

Sore  accidents  on  you  may  light. 

O,  to  your  safety  have  an  eye, 

So  happy  may  you  live  and  die; 

Mean  while  my  dayes  in  tunes  I  '11  spend, 

Till  my  weak  layes  with  me  shall  end. 


In  shady  woods  I  '11  sit  and  sing, 
And  things  that  past,  to  mind  I  '11  bring. 
Once  young  and  pleasant,  as  are  you, 
But  former  boyes  (no  joyes)  adieu. 
My  age  I  will  not  once  lament, 
But  sing,  my  time  so  near  is  spent. 
And  from  the  top  bough  take  my  flight, 
Into  a  country  beyond  sight, 
Where  old  ones,  instantly  grow  young, 
And  there  with  Seraphims  set  song; 
No  seasons  cold,  nor  storms  they  see, 
But  spring  lasts  to  eternity; 
When  each  of  you  shall  in  your  nest 
Among  your  young  ones  take  your  rest, 
In  chirping  language,  oft  them  tell, 
You  had  a  Dam  that  lov'd  you  well, 
That  did  what  could  be  done  for  young, 
And  nurst  you  up  till  you  were  strong, 
And  'fore  she  once  would  let  you  fly, 
She  shew'd  you  joy  and  misery; 
Taught  what  was  good,  and  what  was  ill, 
What  would  save  life,  and  what  would  kill? 
Thus  gone,  amongst  you  I  may  live, 
And  dead,  yet  speak,  and  counsel  give ; 
Farwel,  my  birds,  farewel,  adieu, 
Unhappy  am,  if  well  with  you. 


A.BS 


The  "~Chief  of  the  Brood,"  refers  to  her  oldest,  Samuel,  and 
describes  his  life;  and  so  she  goes  on  making  in  succession  a 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  23 

family  biography  of  them  all,  in  a  way  that  a  proud  mother  and 
a  fond  parent  would  view  the  success  of  their  progeny. 

Cotton  Mather  in  his  "  Magnalia  "  says  of  Mrs.  Bradstreet, 
"  The  cares  of  married  life  would  not  appear  to  have  inter 
rupted  Mistress  Bradstreet's  acquisitions,  for  she  was  married  at 
the  age  of  sixteen,  and  her  poetry  was  written  in  the  early  part  of 
her  life.  As  she  had  eight  children,  and  addressed  herself  par 
ticularly  to  their  education,  her  reading,  well  stuffed  with  the  facts 
of  ancient  history,  was  no  trifle  for  the  memory."  She  must  have 
been  a  good  classical  scholar,  versed  in  all  pagan  and  heathen 
mythology,  as  her  poems  very  plainly  indicate. 

Alluding  to  her  life  and  labors,  Professor  C.  E.  Norton  paints 
her  picture  in  these  words:  "It  is  the  image  of  a. sweet,  devout, 
serene  and  affectionate  nature,  of  a  woman  faithfully  discharging 
the  multiplicity  of  duties  which  fell  upon  the  mother  of  many 
children,  in  those  days  when  little  help  from  the  outside  could  be 
had;  when  the  mother  must  provide  for  all  their  wants  with  scanty 
means  of  supply,  and  must  watch  over  their  health  with  the  con 
sciousness  that  little  help  from  without  was  to  be  had  in  case  of 
even  serious  need." 


CHAPTER   V. 

THOMAS  DUDLEY. 

THOMAS  DUDLEY,  Governor,  and  the  father  of  Anne  Brad- 
street,  was  a  gentleman  of  character  and  position.  There  is  a 
tradition  among  the  family  of  Dudley,  that  he  was  descended  from 
John  Dudley,  Duke  of  Northumberland.  There  is  a  doubt  upon 
this  point.  Much  of  family  pedigree  among  the  early  settlers  was 
lost  to  vision  when  they  left  their  native  land.  Thomas  Dudley 
was  an  only  son  of  Captain  Rogers  Dudley,  who  was  killed  in 
battle  about  the  year  1577.  After  pursuing  Latin  studies  and  then 
a  clerkship  in  the  office  of  a  kinsman,  who  was  a  sergeant-at-law, 
he  was  made  a  captain  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  army.  He  was  sent 
to  aid  Henry  IV  of  France  in  the  Spanish  war  against  Phillip  II  of 
Spain,  after  whom  the  Phillipines  were  named.  Captain  Dudley 
was  at  the  siege  of  Amiens  in  1597,  and  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service,  only  then  barely  of  age,  having  already  acquired  distinction 
as  a  brave  and  skillful  soldier. 

But  the  polish  and  learning  acquired  by  a  residence  abroad, 
associating  with  army  officers,  learning  the  French  language,  with 
the  grace  and  gentlemanly  manners  thereof,  gave  a  new  stamp  to 
young  Dudley,  which,  —  with  his  sterling  honesty  and  courage,  were 
the  foundations  of  his  character,  —  became  a  part  of  his  practical 
life.  He  was  soon  married  to  "  Dorothy  a  gentlewoman,  whose 
extract  and  estate  were  considerable."  No  record  of  her  maiden 
name  is  given.  Puritanism  had  not  yet  an  established  name,  but 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  25 

the  seed  had  been  sown  which  after  became  so  strong  and  vigor 
ous  as  to  overthrow  the  English  monarchy. 

Thomas  Dudley  listened  to  the  ardent  preaching  of  well- 
known  Puritan  and  non-conformist  teachers,  and  soon  became  an 
earnest  opposer  of  the  ancient  and  established  forms  of  church 
worship  and  creeds.  Dudley,  with  eleven  others,  in  August,  1629, 
signed  an  agreement,  whereby  they  pledged  themselves  to  emi 
grate  to  New  England  by  the  next  March.  Their  object  was  not 
so  much  to  flee  from  oppression,  but  to  form  a  government  accord 
ing  to  their  own  ideas  and  "the  order  of  the  gospell." 

In  pursuance  of  this  plan  they  sailed  the  twenty-ninth  of 
March,  1630,  and  landed  at  Salem  on  June  12,  and  on  going 
ashore  "  supped  with  a  good  venison,  pasty  and  good  beer." 
Winthrop  and  Dudley  soon  became  the  master  and  ruling  spirits 
of  the  Colony.  When  one  was  not  governor  the  other  was  likely 
to  be,  or  their  influence  decided  who  should  be.  And  in  one  way 
or  another  the  Dudleys  have  been  important  factors  in  controlling 
New  England  affairs  in  its  government,  its  religion  and  its 
literature. 

Bancroft  says  that,  "  Dudley  had  hardly  reached  this  country 
before  he  repented  that  he  had  come ;  the  country  had  been  de 
scribed  in  too  favorable  light." 

It  would  appear  that  Governor  Dudley  must  have  been  a 
book-worm  and  a  "diner  out,"  as  also  a  "table  talker"  full  of  wit, 
from  the  following  epitaph  that  Mather  translates  : 

"  In  books  a  prodigal,  they  say 
A  living  Cyclopedia: 
Of  histories  of  church  and  priest, 
A  full  compendium  at  least: 
A  table  talker,  rich  in  sense, 
And  witty  without  wits  pretence." 


26  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

JOHN  G.  PALFREY'S  OPINION  OF  GOVERNOR  DUDLEY. 

"  In  the  year  1653,  July  31,  the  days  of  Thomas  Dudley  were 
numbered  and  finished.  Dudley  was  fifty-four  when  he  came  to 
New  England  in  1630,  which  made  him  seventy-seven  years  old  at 
his  death.  He  had  been  twice  governor,  deputy-governor  thirteen 
times,  and  major-general  of  the  militia  in  other  years.  His  well- 
known  capacity,  experience,  and  scrupulous  fidelity  to  every  trust, 
made  him  an  object  of  implicit  confidence  and  respect.  His  in 
tegrity  was  unimpeachable  ;  his  superiority  to  influences  of  human 
blame  or  favor  was  above  question ;  the  fear  of  God  was  an  ever- 
present  and  deciding  motive  to  him ;  no  man,  in  public  action, 
had  a  more  single  eye  to  the  public  welfare.  But  Dudley's  was 
one  of  those  characters  in  which  virtue  does  not  put  on  her  gra 
cious  aspect.  He  belonged  to  the  class  who  are  commended,  con 
fided  in  and  revered,  but  not  loved.  If  hasty,  he  was  not 
revengeful ;  he  never  meant  to  be  unjust,  and  he  did  sincerely 
mean  to  be  magnanimous,  but  he  wanted  the  qualities  to  conciliate 
and  win.  He  was  positive,  prejudicial,  undemonstrative,  austere. 
When  he  was  gentle  and  generous,  it  seemed  to  be  more  from 
conscience  than  from  sympathy ;  so  that  even  benefits  from  him 
won  approval  rather  than  affection.  It  might  be  expected  of 
such  a  man,  that  he  would  find  it  hard  to  tolerate  a  difference 
of  religious  opinion,  and  it  is  recorded  of  Dudley,  that  after  his 
decease,  some  lines  expressive  of  that  form  of  narrowness  were 
found  in  a  pocket  of  his  dress.  The  lines,  twenty  in  number,  were 
preserved  by  Mather.  Magnalia,  Book  II,  Chap.  V,  §i." 

THOMAS  DUDLEY'S  LINES. 

Dim  Eyes,  deaf  Ears,  cold  Stomach,  shew 
My  dissolution  is  in  view, 
Eleven  times  seven  near  liv'd  have  I. 
And  now  God  calls  I  willing  Die, 


1 

3   < 


n  ^ 

X 

51  — 

a  Q 


a 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  2  7 

My  Shuttle's  shot,  my  Race  is  run, 

My  Sun  is  set,  my  Day  is  done. 

My  span  is  measured,  Tale  is  told, 

My  Flower  is  faded  and  grown  old. 

My  Dream  is  vanish'd,  Shadows  fled, 

My  Soul  with  Christ,  my  Body  Dead, 

Farewel  dear  Wife,  Children  and  Friends, 

Hate  Heresie,  make  Blessed  Ends, 

Bear  Poverty,  live  with  good  Men ; 

So  shall  we  live  with  Joy  agen. 

Let  men  of  God  in  Courts  and  Churches  watch, 

O're  such  as  do  a  Toleration  hatch, 

Lest  that  ill  Egg  bring  forth  a  Cockatrice 

To  poison  all  with  Heresie  and  Vice. 

If  Men  be  left  and  otherwise  Combine, 

My  epitaph  's  I  DY'D  NO  LIBERTINE. 

Thomas  Dudley  was  a  staunch  defender  of  the  Puritan  faith, 
and  so  received  the  hatred  of  all  its  dissenters,  in  the  Massachusetts 
Colony,  including  the  Roger  Williams  Baptists,  the  Quakers  and 
Ann  Hutchinson's  followers,  some  of  whom  openly  rejoiced  over 
his  death  and  looked  upon  it  as  an  act  of  Providence.  It  was  his 
boast  that  he  condemned  toleration,  that  toleration  itself  was  an 
heresie.  He  was  of  a  nervous,  excitable  disposition,  and  as  occa 
sion  seemed  to  him  to  require,  outspoken  and  plain  in  expressing 
his  opinions  and  denouncing  his  opponents.  For  some  reason, 
not  clearly  apparent,  he  at  first  was  not  in  favor  of  closing  Mrs. 
Hutchinson's  mouth  and  forbidding  her  Boston  meetings.  His 
friend,  Rev.  John  Cotton,  advocated  the  weekly  meetings  for  ex 
amining  and  criticising  the  Sunday  sermons  of  their  different 
ministers.  Mrs.  Hutchinson's  meetings  seem  to  have  been  of  a 
natural  outgrowth  from  the  men's  meetings.  The  men  of  the 
Boston  churches  came  together  every  Thursday  morning  to  go 
over  the  text  and  sermon  of  the  preceding  Sunday,  of  which  the 
members  had  taken  notes,  and  made  criticism  either  favorable  or 


28  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

adverse.  This  was  in  the  presence  of  the  minister.  No  women 
were  admitted  to  these  meetings,  much  less  would  they  have  been 
permitted  to  speak  their  opinion. 

But  after  awhile  the  women  thought  it  equally  right  and  in 
structive  for  their  own  sex  to  have  a  meeting  from  which  the  men 
should  be  excluded.  Ann  Hutchinson,  by  general  consent,  was 
seated  in  front  and  allowed  herself  to  be  questioned.  Her  lovely 
life  and  her  works  of  charity  gave  immense  power  to  her  words. 
Dudley  had  made  careful  inquiries  as  to  her  religious  standing, 
and  was  satisfied ;  the  most  religious  and  influential  among  the 
people  of  the  Colony  paid  unusual  attention  to  her.  All  Boston 
admired  and  believed  in  her,  and  her  administrations  at  sick  beds 
gave  her  unusual  popularity,  and  had  she  been  content,  when  op 
posed,  to  have  abandoned  her  public  meetings,  she  still  would 
have  been  a  useful  and  honored  woman.  In  the  meantime  the 
men  had  broken  down  all  barriers,  and  entered  without  opposition 
the  women's  meetings  but  not  allowing  women  to  enter  theirs. 
John  Cotton,  the  ablest  and  most  powerful  minister  in  the  Colony, 
gave  at  first  strong  and  decided  support  to  the  women's  meetings. 
Three-fourths  of  the  ministers  and  elders  of  the  Colony,  however, 
were  utterly  opposed  to  women  holding  forth  as  teachers  to  the 
flock  of  Christ,  even  to  their  sex.  The  tide  after  awhile  was 
everywhere  against  Ann  Hutchinson  and  her  teachings,  for  she 
clashed  on  doctrinal  points  as  well  as  in  methods  and  teachers. 
Winthrop,  Dudley  and  Bradstreet  joined  the  ministers  in  support 
of  the  old  Puritan  faith,  as  they  believed  it,  and  against  the  new 
lights  and  women  teachers  and  Antinomianism. 

In  this  fight  against  the  Antinomian  doctrines  the  Colony  be 
came  nearly  unanimously  on  the  side  as  against  the  new  doctrine, 
except  Boston,  and  that  was  veering  around  toward  the  popular 
breeze  and  tidal  current.  The  power  of  the  ministers  and  magis 
trates  was  potential  and  victory  was  theirs.  Ann  was  sent  into 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  29 

the  wilderness,  another  "  Hagar  and  Ishmael,"  along  with  Roger 
Williams  and  the  Quakers. 

Rufus  Choate  in  New  York  in  "  the  forties  "  on  "  Forefathers' 
Day,"  gave  the  toast,  "  Our  Pilgrim  Fathers :  they  founded  a 
church  without  a  bishop,  and  a  State  without  a  king."  He  might 
have  added,  "  They  had  a  minister  for  every  church,  who  was 
both  bishop  and  king." 

So  complete  was  the  victory  for  the  Puritan  church,  that  for 
over  a  century  no  opposition  appeared  within  their  own  borders. 
In  the  opprobrium  attached  to  the  expelled  ones,  all  Antinomians 
and  women  advocates  shared  largely.  It  was  not  till  twenty  years 
after  that  Anne  Bradstreet  suffered  her  works  to  be  printed,  and 
then  in  London,  and  even  her  name  not  attached  thereto.  How 
changed  now  is  the  Puritan  church.  Women  are  being  "  set 
apart,"  and  ordained  as  ministers  and  pastors  in  the  Congregational 
churches  all  over  New  England.  In  Elmira,  New  York,  Rev.  Dr. 
Thomas  K.  Beecher,  "  the  last  of  the  Beechers,"  has  an  associate 
pastor  in  the  person  of  a  Rev.  Mrs.  C.  L.  Eastman,  who  is  able, 
popular  and  effective ;  who  performs  marriage  ceremonies,  bap 
tismal  rites  and  sacramental  services.  The  Independent  or  Con 
gregational  organization  allows  each  church  and  society  to  select 
either  a  man  or  woman  as  minister,  and  the  one  thus  selected  is 
ordained  with  all  ministerial  prerogatives  and  powers. 

The  Unitarians,  Universalists  and  Baptists  have  the  same 
independent  form  of  church  government,  and  women  are  being  or 
may  be  ordained  in  all  of  them,  except  the  Baptist,  where  a  woman 
minister  could  baptize  by  immersion  with  great  difficulty,  if  in 
many  cases  at  all.  In  the  Episcopal  churches,  including  the 
Methodist  Episcopal,  the  hand  of  the  bishop  is  a  cold  one,  and  no 
woman  as  yet  has  been  ordained  as  a  Conference  preacher,  with 
all  the  privileges  accorded  to  men.  Ann  Hutchinson  was  "  sup 
pressed  "  over  two  hundred  years  ago,  but  if  alive  to-day  she  could 


30  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

be  ordained  a  minister  and  serve  whenever  wanted  in  the  Puritan 
church  from  which  she  was  driven. 

In  this  view  of  those  times,  Professor  Norton,  of  Harvard 
College,  in  his  Introduction  to  the  volume  of  Anne  Bradstreet's 
works,  published  by  the  Duodecimal  Club,  which  is  claimed  as 
the  seventh  edition  of  her  works,  makes  the  following  statement : 
"  What  value  her  verses  have  received  for  her  depends  rather  on 
the  rare  circumstances  of  a  woman's  writing  them  at  the  time  she 
did,  and  in  the  place  where  she  lived." 

This  notice  of  Governor  Thomas  Dudley  would  be  incom 
plete,  if  some  mention  was  not  made  of  his  son,  Joseph  Dudley, 
a  child  by  his  second  wife,  and  therefore  half  brother  to  Anne 
Bradstreet.  He  was  deputy-governor,  succeeding  Governor  Brad- 
street,  when  he  was  removed  from  that  office  by  Sir  Edmund 
Andros,  at  the  time  when  the  old  charter  of  the  Colony  was  abro 
gated  by  that  troublesome  official  of  King  James  II. 

Joseph  Dudley  was  the  most  talented  of  all  the  Dudleys 
known  in  America,  and  so  loyal  to  the  king  that  he  was  a  subser 
vient  tool  to  do  the  bidding  of  that  tyrant,  Sir  Edmund  Andros. 

Randolph  and  others  were  comparatively  strangers  in  the 
Colony,  and  not  so  much  expected  of  them,  though  their  names 
were  execrated  and  held  in  contempt  everywhere,  yet  Dudley  was 
to  the  manor  born,  of  good  Puritan  lineage,  and  better  things  were 
expected  of  him.  He  brought  a  taint  upon  the  name  of  Dudley, 
which  all  the  services  and  sacrifices  of  generations  cannot  efface. 

"  But  one  .sad  losel  soils  a  name  for  aye, 
However,  mighty  in  the  olden  time; 
Nor  all  that  heralds  rake  from  coffined  clay, 
Nor  florid  prose,  nor  honied  lies  of  rhyme ; 
Can  blazon  evil  deeds,  or  consecrate  a  crime." 

Of  the  Star  Chamber  Judges,  Joseph  Dudley  was  the  chief  or 
presiding  judge,  who  tried  the  Ipswich  patriots,  John  Wise,  John 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  31 

Appleton,  Robert  Kinsman,  William  Goodhue  and  Thomas 
French,  immortal  names,  and  Ipswich  the  only  town  in  its  corpor 
ate  capacity,  taking  positive  action  against  Andros. 

Chief  Justice  Joseph  Dudley  must  have  well  known  every 
one  of  the  Ipswich  men,  as  General  Dennison  was  his  brother-in- 
law,  and  Major  Nathaniel  Wade  married  his  niece,  and  these  men 
on  trial,  or  their  fathers,  settled  the  town  with  his  father,  Governor 
Thomas  Dudley,  who  when  he  died  had  large  interests  there. 

Joseph  Dudley  disgraced  himself  and  his  office  when  he  said 
to  Rev.  John  Wise,  who  claimed  the  privilege  of  an  English  sub 
ject,  "he  had  no  more  privilege  left  him,  than  not  to  be  sold  for  a 
slaved 

We  shall  treat  more  fully  of  Andros  and  his  tyranny  and  sud 
den  downfall  in  our  next  chapter,  while  giving  a  notice  of  Governor 
Bradstreet. 


CHAPTER   VI. 


SIMON  BRADSTREET. 

SIMON  BRADSTREET,  son  of  a  non-conforming  minister, 
was  born  March,  1603,  at  Horblin,  Lincolnshire.  His  father 
died  when  he  was  fourteen  years  old,  and  he  was  committed  to 
the  care  of  Thomas  Dudley  for  eight  years  following.  He  spent 
one  year  at  Emanuel  College,  Cambridge,  pursuing  his  studies 
amidst  various  interruptions.  Leaving  Cambridge,  he  resided  in 
the  family  of  the  Earl  of  Lincoln,  as  his  steward,  and  afterward 
lived  in  the  same  capacity  with  the  Countess  of  Warwick. 

He,  with  Mr.  Winthrop,  Mr.  Dudley,,  and  others,  agreed  to 
emigrate  and  form  a  settlement  in  Massachusetts ;  and  being  ap 
pointed  an  assistant,  he  with  his  family  and  others  went  on  board 
the  Arabella,  March  29,  1630,  and  anchored  June  12,  near  Salem, 
going  on  shore  soon  after. 

In  the  spring  of  1631  commenced  at  Cambridge.  He  moved 
to  Ipswich  in  1634,  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  that  town,  where  he 
resided  for  ten  years.  Mr.  Bradstreet  then  moved  to  Andover, 
where  he  held  large  landed  interests.  He  was  the  first  secretary 
of  the  Colony,  a  magistrate,  and  held  public  office  for  nearly  sixty 
years.  He  was  deputy-governor  from  1672  to  1679,  wnen  ne  was 
elected  governor,  and  continued  in  office  till  the  charter  was  abro 
gated  by  Sir  Edmund  Andros,  1686.  He  steadily  opposed  Andros 
and  his  rule. 

-The  wife  of  Simon  Bradstreet,  Anne,  died  September  16, 
1672,  a  sore  affliction  to  him;  he  had  been  married  for  forty-four 


GOVERNOR    SIMON    BRADSTREET. 
(See  page  46.) 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  33 

years,  having  born  to  them  eight  children,  all  living  at  the  time  of 
her  death  except  one,  Dorothy,  who  had  been  the  wife  of  Rev. 
Seaborn  Cotton,  a  son  of  Rev.  John  Cotton,  the  great  Boston 
preacher.  The  new  large  house  erected  at  North  Andover  was 
burned  to  the  ground,  a  total  ruin,  with  all  of  its  contents,  includ 
ing  manuscript  work  of  Anne  Bradstreet,  which  was  never  re 
written.  Another  house  was  soon  built  in  which  Mrs.  Bradstreet 
resided  for  a  few  years ;  this  is  the  house  shown  in  this  book. 

After  Mrs.  Bradstreet's  death,  her  husband  married  June  6, 
1 67 6,  the  widow  of  Captain  Joseph  Gardner,  of  Salem,  who  was  killed 
in  the  Narragansett  War.  The  picture  of  their  house  is  printed  as 
the  "Bradstreet  house/'  in  this  book.  She  is  said  to  have  been 
"  a  Gentlewoman,  of  very  good  birth  and  education,  and  of  great 
piety  and  prudence."  She  inherited  a  fine  estate,  and  a  notice  of 
her  Salem  home  is  given  in  another  chapter,  where  the  Governor 
lived  after  his  second  marriage  and  where  he  died. 

Simon  Bradstreet,  during  the  time  of  the  persecutions  of  the 
Quakers,  was  in  public  office,  and  it  is  said  he  meant  to  be  mod 
erate  and  tolerant,  yet  he  was  charged  by  the  Quakers  as  being 
active  against  them.  In  an  address  to  the  king,  the  Quakers 
make  the  following  summary  of  their  wrongs  :  "  Twenty-two  have 
been  banished  upon  pain  of  death.  Three  have  been  martyred, 
and  three  have  had  their  right  ears  cut.  One  hath  been  burned 
in  the  hand  with  the  letter  H.  Thirty-one  persons  have  received 
six  hundred  and  fifty  stripes.  One  was  beat  while  his  body  was 
like  a  jelly.  Several  were  beat  with  pitched  ropes.  Five  appeals 
made  to  England  were  denied  by  the  rulers  of  Boston.  One 
thousand,  forty-four  pounds'  worth  of  goods  hath  been  taken  from 
them  (being  poor  men)  for  meeting  together  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord,  and  for  keeping  the  commands  of  Christ.  One  now  lieth  in 
iron  fetters  condemned  to  die." 

The  latter  years  of    Simon   Bradstreet's  life  were  the  most 


34  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

glorious  of  all.  The  part  he  took  in  opposing  Sir  Edmund 
Andros  and  his  horde  of  retainers,  even  though  his  brother-in-law 
was  one  of  the  most  active  and  conspicuous  of  them,  entitles  him 
to  the  remembrance  of  every  Massachusetts  patriot.  He  was  in 
deed  "the  Nestor  of  New  England,"  and  "the  Grand  Old  Man," 
of  the  closing  years  of  the  seventeenth  century.  We  prize  the 
few  words  in  which  the  Labadist  missionaries  describe  Simon 
Bradstreet,  "  An  old  man,  quiet  and  grave,  dressed  in  black  silk, 
but  not  sumptuously." 

The  crimes  committed  by  Andros  in  the  name  of  King  James 
the  Second,  against  the  American  Colonies,  were  many  and  atro 
cious,  taxing  their  homes  without  justice  or  law,  and  if  not  paid, 
their  homes  and  lands  sold  from  under  them  to  the  highest  bidder. 
The  farms  and  lands  had  been  duly  entered  under  the  first  charter, 
duly  granted  by  the  Home  government.  Under  such  registry  the 
settlers  had  cleared  the  lands  and  built  their  homes,  and  in  many 
cases  they  descended  through  the  probate  office  to  the  children 
of  the  earliest  settlers.  Andros  demanded  a  new  registry,  at  a 
large  expense,  to  be  paid  to  the  government,  on  the  plea  that  the 
first  was  irregular,  and  claimed  that  the  crown  owned  all  the  land. 
If  not  paid,  the  lands  and  houses  were  sold  and  title  transferred, 
and  the  owners  at  once  dispossessed  and  ejected  from  their  hard- 
earned  possessions. 

The  press  was  muzzled,  magistrates  appointed  by  the  Govern 
or  were  alone  permitted  to  solemnize  marriages,  and  no  marriages 
allowed  until  bonds  with  sureties  were  given,  to  be  forfeited  if 
any  lawful  impediment  should  afterward  appear.  No  one  could 
remove  from  the  country  without  the  consent  of  the  Governor. 
Probate  taxes  were  excessive.  General  taxes  were  imposed  by  the 
governor-general  and  the  council,  and  the  people  taxed  had  no  voice 
in  making  the  levy  ;  if  they  complained,  they  were  liable  to  fine  and 
imprisonment  for  traducing  the  Governor,  and  treason  to  the  king. 


ANNE  BRA"DSTREET.  35 

The  act  that  went  direct  to  the  Puritan  heart,  was  the  policy 
adopted  by  Andros  seizing  Puritan  churches,  or  as  called  *'  meeting 
houses,"  for  the  use  of  a  few  priests  of  the  Church  of  England, 
wherein  to  hold  ritualistic  services,  who  with  surplices  and  broad 
phylacteries  read  their  prayers  and  performed  their  religious  cere 
monies.  Andros  first  seized  their  homes  and  demanded  quit- 
rent  ;  secondly,  controlling  and  taxing  marriage  rites ;  and  now 
demanding  the  keys  of  their  houses  of  worship  for  Episcopal 
service. 

Home,  Marriage  and  Church  used  for  taxation  and  oppres 
sion,  and  an  alien  and  strange  religious  ceremony !  There  were 
not  a  hundred  Church  of  England  worshippers  in  the  Colony, 
outside  of  the  British  naval,  military,  and  civil  service.  These 
acts  created  an  animosity  and  hatred  against  the  British  which 
were  never  effaced,  and  made  the  name  of  "  Red-coat "  detested 
so,  that  even  the  boys  on  the  streets  hooted  and  yelled  after  them, 
"  Lobster  soldiers  ! "  The  seed  was  then  sown  which  brought 
forth  the  harvest  of  the  Revolution  seventy-five  years  later.  After 
two  years  of  such  rule,  the  light  of  relief  was  near,  nearer  than  the 
most  hopeful  could  dream.  April  4,  1689,  the  great  news  of  the 
flight  of  King  James  the  Second  from  England,  and  the  landing 
of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  with  his  assumption  of  the  crown,  reached 
Boston.  The  "  amazing  news  did  soon  fly  like  lightning,"  and  not 
only  Boston,  but  all  the  towns  of  New  England  were  astir.  On 
the  morning  of  the  eighteenth  the  clans  began  to  gather ;  every 
man,  woman  and  child  in  Boston  was  on  duty.  A  regiment  of 
armed  men  gathered  in  Charlestown.  Andros  was  in  hiding ; 
his  officials  were  everywhere  sneaking  and  fearful.  The  "  boys 
were  parading  the  streets  with  clubs,"  and  not  "  olive  branches," 
crying,  "  Down  with  Andros  and  Randolph  !  " 

The  streets  around  the  public  building  were  packed  with  an 
angry  and  excited  crowd.  The  ministers  and  leading  men  of 


36  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

Boston  and  the  large  towns,  having  seized  "  the  Archives  and  State 
Building,"  were  holding  a  council,  and  had  sent  to  Salem  for 
Governor  Bradstreet.  Sir  Edmund  Andros  and  fifty  of  his  officials 
were  arrested  and  cast  into  prison,  and  Massachusetts  was  free  ! 
Without  doubt  Rev.  John  Wise  and  John  Appleton  of  Ipswich 
were  present,  aiding  and  advising  by  their  wisdom  and  patriotism. 
It  must  have  been  a  gala  day  in  Ipswich ;  the  relief  they  had 
prayed  for  was  come.  It  was  a  Revolution  !  It  was  in  violation 
of  law,  except  the  law  of  self-protection  and  self-preservation.  It 
was  not  a  peaceable  revolution ;  it  was  a  forceful  one,  but  a 
bloodless  one.  Nevertheless,  it  was  mob-law,  it  was  the  people 
who  had  taken  the  rule  into  their  own  hands,  and  in  the  twinkling 
of  an  eye  changed  the  personnel  of  the  government.  Bancroft  the 
Historian  says  of  this  day's  work :  "  Just  then  the  Governor  of 
the  Colony,  in  office  when  the  charter  was  abrogated,  Simon  Brad- 
street,  glorious  with  the  dignity  of  four  score  years  and  seven,  one 
of  the  early  emigrants,  a  magistrate  in  1630,  whose  experience 
connected  the  oldest  generation  with  the  new,  drew  near  the  town- 
house,  and  was  received  with  a  great  shout  from  the  free  men. 
The  old  magistrates  were  reinstated,  as  a  council  of  safety ;  the 
whole  town  rose  in  arms,  with  the  most  unanimous  resolution  that 
ever  inspired  a  people." 

Oliver,  the  Conservative  Historian,  writes  thus :  "  The  en 
thusiasm  was  complete  when  a  long  declaration,  prepared  by  an 
elder  of  Boston,  defending  the  insurrection  as  a  duty  to  God  and 
the  country,  was  read  from  the  balcony  of  the  town-house." 
Again,  another  says,  quoted  by  Palfrey,  "  The  country  people 
came  armed  into  Boston  in  the  afternoon,  in  such  rage  and  heat 
that  it  made  us  all  tremble  to  think  what  would  follow,  for  nothing 
would  satisfy  them  but  that  the  Governor  (Andros)  should  be 
bound  in  chains  or  cords,  and  put  in  a  more  secure  place." 
Again,  "Andros  came  near  affecting  his  escape.  Disguised  in 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  37 

women's  clothes,  he  had  safely  passed  two  Gentries,  but  was 
stopped  by  a  third,  who  observed  his  shoes,  which  he  had  neglected 
to  change." 

The  revolution  had  been  done  so  quietly  and  effectively,  that 
the  excitement  soon  died  out  and  everything  was  restored  to  its 
former  and  normal  condition. 

The  General  Court  at  once  assembled,  and  the  grand  old 
man,  Simon  Bradstreet,  again  called  to  the  chair  of  State.  No 
successor  was  named  to  supersede  Governor  Bradstreet  till  1692, 
when  Sir  William  Phipps  was  sent  over  to  take  his  place. 
Governor  Bradstreet  retired  to  his  Salem  home,  where  he  con 
tinued  full  of  years  and  honors  till  1697,  when  at  the  ripe  old 
age  of  ninety-four  he  died. 

The  Assembly  was  in  session  on  the  day  of  his  death  and, 
"  in  consideration  of  the  long  and  extraordinary  service  of  Simon 
Bradstreet,  late  Governor,  voted  ^100,  toward  defraying  the 
charges  of  his  interment." 

They  buried  him  in  Salem  where  his  tomb  may  still  be  seen 
in  the  old  Charter  Street  burying-ground.  "  He  was  a  man,"  says 
Felt,  "  of  deep  discernment,  whom  neither  wealth  nor  honor  could 
allure  from  duty.  He  poised  with  an  equal  balance  the  authority 
of  the  King,  and  the  liberty  of  the  people.  Sincere  in  religion 
and  pure  in  his  life,  he  overcame  and  left  the  world." 


CHAPTER   VII. 


PURITAN  —  PILGRIM. 

WHAT  word  shall  we  use  to  define  the  "a  Pilgrim"  "a 
Puritan ;"  which  name  shall  be  applied  to  our  first  New 
England  settlers  ?  Do  the  words  represent  two  different  orders 
or  sects,  or  shall  it  be  a  compound  or  hyphenated  word  ?  Do  not 
the  two  words  have  a  meaning  each  for  itself  and  differing  one 
from  the  other?  Is  not  the  term  "Cavalier,"  as  applied  to  the 
adherents  of  Charles  the  First,  a  misnomer  as  used  to  designate 
the  leaders  of  the  early  Virginia  settlers  ?  Many  of  the  settlers,  with 
Endicott  as  well  as  with  Winthrop,  would  have  been  in  the  South, 
"  Virginia  Cavaliers.'7  The  Pilgrims  never  thought  of  fighting  at 
home,  in  England.  They  fled  to  Holland  and  then  to  America, 
and  created  no  revolutions.  But  the  Puritans  were  "fighters." 
They  fought  to  purify  the  church,  purify  the  government,  and  to 
punish  their  enemies,  outside  of  their  creed  or  circle.  "  Trust  in 
God  and  keep  your  powder  dry,"  was  in  the  Puritan  faith  as  well 
as  in  that  of  the  Scottish  covenanters.  The  Puritans  were  fighters, 
with  a  musket,  a  religious  cudgel  or  a  civil  warrant,  always  ready 
to  do  battle. 

The  Pilgrims  were  comparatively  free  from  the  delusions 
of  witchcraft,  and  rarely  persecuted  the  Baptists  or  Quakers, 
and  contented  themselves  with  simply  defending  their  homes 
and  minding  their  own  pursuits.  The  Puritans  thrived,  and 
their  numbers  doubled  and  trebled  under  trials  and  warfare. 
England  was  glad  to  be  rid  of  them ;  but  the  more  they  emigrated 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  39 

the  more  they  increased  in  England,  till  they  finally  deposed  the 
King,  sending  Charles  the  First  to  the  beheading  block. 

The  New  England  Puritans  had  brains,  education  and  cul 
ture.  In  an  age  when  Spain  produced  the  Jesuits  and  the  Inqui 
sition,  the  English  reformation  brought  forth  Cromwell,  the  Puri 
tans  and  Plymouth  Rock.  While  the  Jesuits  sent  their  teachers 
everywhere,  they  kept  their  converts  in  ignorance,  with  the  church 
and  its  showy  ceremonials  far  ahead  of  the  civil  power  of  the  State. 
The  Puritan  Colonies  educated  all,  and  taught  obedience  to  God 
and  due  respect  for  magistrates. 

"  Nor  dread  the  blinded  bigot's  rule, 
•As  near  the  church  spire  stands  the  school." 

Not  only  the  common  school,  but  Harvard  College  was  founded 
at  once,  and  they  taxed  themselves  to  establish  and  support  the 
college  as  well  as  the  district  school.  The  following  from  Felt's 
History  of  Ipswich  shows  how  that  town  taxed  itself  to  support 
Harvard  College  in  its  beginning,  which  is  a  fair  sample  of  the 
other  towns  of  the  Colony. 

"  1644.  The  Deputies  and  Elders  of  all  towns  are  desired 
to  use  their  influence,  so  that  every  family  allow  one  peck  of  corn, 
or  i2d.  for  this  University." 

"1652.  The  General  Court  request,  that  for  raising  up 
suitable  Rulers  and  Elders,  a  person  in  every  town  solicit  sub 
scriptions  to  aid  charity  scholars  at  Cambridge." 

"  1664.  The  rate  of  Ipswich  for  the  College  is  £jt  6s.,  yd., 
and  the  same  next  year." 

"  1677,  May  23.  The  General  Court  send  a  letter  to  this 
town  (Ipswich),  desiring  them  to  subscribe  for  the  new  brick 
building  at  the  College,  begun  two  years  ago,  but  not  finished 
during  the  war  for  want  of  money ;  the  old  edifice  being  partly 
fallen  down." 


40  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

"  1681.  A  committee  are  to  gather  up  what  was  behind  for 
the  College.  ^19,  155.  in  grain  is  put  on  board  John  Dutch's 
sloop,  namely,  seventy-eight  bushels  and  a  half  of  corn,  and  thirty- 
one  and  three-quarters  of  malt  for  Cambridge." 

The  same  power  that  hired  the  minister  and  paid  him,  also 
selected  and  paid  the  school  master.  If  they  compelled  attend 
ance  at  church  and  the  observance  of  the  Sabbath,  they  also  com 
manded  all  children  to  attend  school,  and  faithfully  to  be  cate 
chised  by  the  minister. 

Harvard  College  was  established  and  opened  in  1638,  and 
within  a  few  years  had  a  faculty  of  teachers  as  brilliant  and  able 
as  Cambridge  or  Oxford  in  England,  and  its  alumni  within  thirty 
years  of  its  opening,  boasted  of  scholars,  writers  and  philosophers 
equal  to  any  college. 

The  New  England  Puritans  came  to  establish  a  firm,  stable 
and  Christian  government,  and  they  were  far-seeing  enough  to 
know  that  such  a  nation  must  have  for  its  foundation  stones 
Religion  and  Education. 

They  were  ready  to  pray  and  also  to  fight;  they  had  the 
French  and  Indians  on  their  northern,  western  and  eastern  bor 
ders.  These  Puritan  soldiers  were  at  the  siege  and  downfall  of 
Louisburgh.  They  were  at  Quebec  with  Wolf,  and  under  the  flag 
of  England  conquered  Canada  for  the  British.  The  first  battles 
of  the  Revolutionary  War  were  in  the  Puritan  Colony  of  Massa 
chusetts  ;  they  threw  the  tea  into  the  Boston  Harbor ;  the  massacre 
of  1770  was  in  Boston,  on  Kings  Street;  the  battles  of  Concord, 
Lexington  and  Bunker  Hill  were  all  within  the  central  limits  of 
Puritan  Massachusetts. 

The  first  great  victory  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution  was  when 
the  New  England  yeoman  soldiers,  Puritans  all,  under  the  wise 
generalship  ~of  Washington,  drove  the  British  naval  and  military 
forces  out  of  Boston  and  forever ! 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  41 

Webster,  in  his  great  speech  in  reply  to  Haynes,  pictures 
American  liberty  as  born,  nurtured  and  sustained  in  Massachu 
setts.  We  close  this  chapter  by  copying  a  brilliant  passage  from 
his  peroration : 

"  I  shall  enter  on  no  encomiums  upon  Massachusetts ;  she 
needs  none.  There  she  is.  Behold  her,  and  judge  for  yourselves. 
There  is  her  history ;  the  world  knows  it  by  heart.  The  past,  at 
least,  is  secure.  There  is  Boston  and  Concord  and  Lexington 
and  Bunker  Hill,  and  there  they  will  remain  forever.  The  bones 
of  her  sons,  falling  in  the  great  struggle  for  Independence,  now 
lie  mingled  with  the  soil  of  every  State  from  New  England  to 
Georgia,  and  there  they  will  be  forever. 

"  And  Sir,  where  American  Liberty  raised  its  first  voice,  and 
where  its  youth  was  nurtured  and  sustained,  there  it  still  lives,  in 
the  strength  of  its  manhood  and  full  of  its  original  spirit.  If  dis 
cord  and  disunion  shall  wound  it,  if  party  strife  and  blind  ambition 
shall  hawk  at  and  tear  it,  if  folly  and  madness,  if  uneasiness 
under  salutary  and  necessary  restraint  shall  succeed  in  separating 
it  from  that  Union,  by  which  alone  its  existence  is  made  sure,  it 
will  stand,  in  the  end,  by  the  side  of  that  cradle  in  which  its  in 
fancy  was  rocked  ;  it  will  stretch  forth  its  arm,  with  whatever  vigor 
it  may  still  retain,  over  the  friends  who  gather  round  it,  and  it  will 
fall  at  last,  if  fall  it  must,  amidst  the  proudest  monuments  of  its 
own  glory,  and  on  the  very  spot  of  its  origin." 


# 


CHAPTER   VIII.    . 

EDITORIAL  MISCELLANY. 
Anne  Bradstreet"  s  Portrait:  a  Fancy  Picture. 

AT  THE  dedicatory  exercises  of  the  Ipswich  Historical  Society 
of  their  home,  the  Rev.  John  Calvin  Kimball,  in  his  address 
on  that  occasion,  brought  the  question  of  the  Saltonstall-Whipple 
house  to  a  sudden  halt.  He  stated  that  a  woman  employee  of  his 
sister,  who  lives  just  beyond  that  house,  in  passing  it  shortly  be 
fore,  saw  two  or  three  of  the  Saltonstall  women  sitting  at  "  the 
window  binding  shoes,"  as  we  suppose,  or  with  bobbins  and  pil 
lows  making  lace.  The  story  seemed  incredible,  but  being  told 
by  a  minister  we  believed  it,  especially  as  the  Rev.  Mr.  Waters, 
the  worthy  President  of  the  Historical  Society,  stood  by  without  a 
word  of  objection. 

A  similar  experience  occurred  to  me  in  taking  the  picture  of 
the  Dudley-Bradstreet  house,  so  called,  on  High  Street,  near  the 
head  of  Mineral  Street.  Mr.  Dexter,  the  Ipswich  photographer, 
had  his  camera  all  focused  and  fixed  for  a  picture  of  the  Captain 
Hodgkins  house  ;  just  then  an  Ipswich  witch,  &  cousin  of  mine, 
came  along  and  halted  near  me.  Her  mother  was  a  witch  before 
her,  and  had  bewitched  me  in  days  when  I  was  susceptible  thereto. 
I  said  to  the  witch,  "  My  dear  cousin,  is  this  the  Bradstreet 
House  ?  "  Without  sticking  any  pins  into  my  arm,  as  Ipswich 
witches  in  olden  times  were  wont  to  do,  but  with  a  punch  under 
my  ribs  with  her  parasol,  she  said,  "  W7hy  yes ;  there  sits  Anne 
Bradstreet  at  the  window,  pen  in  hand.  Do  n't  you  see  her  ? " 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  43 

We  all  answered  in  the  affirmative  except  the  photographer,  who, 
pulling  his  head  out  from  under  the  camera  cloth,  said,  as  he 
turned  to  my  cousin,  the  witch,  "  My  answer  to  your  question  is 
a  negative"  The  witch  at  once  responded,  "  Then  develop  it." 
Just  then  a  chanticleer,  who  was  parading  his  harem  of  hens  over 
the  lawn,  as  can  be  seen  in  the  picture  of  the  house,  lifted  up  his 
head  and  gave  a  most  uproarious,  crow,  which  startled  us  and  at 
tracted  our  notice.  When  we  looked  again  at  the  witch  by  my 
side  and  Anne  Bradstreet  at  the  window,  lo,  and  behold,  they  had 
vanished  into  thin  air  out  of  view,  quickly  and  noiselessly  as 
witches  and  ghosts  are  wont  to  disappear. 

However,  the  negative  of  the  photographer  remained,  and 
with  the  aid  of  a  Boston  artist  of  credit  and  renown,  Mr.  Edmund  H. 
Garrett,  an  author  as  well  as  artist,  the  picture  of  Anne  Bradstreet 
was  made.  It  may  not  be  all  that  fancy  could  picture  it,  but  it  is 
a  real,  ideal  "  fancy  picture,"  and  as  such  we  present  it  to  the 
readers  of  this  book.  Whether  you  believe  in  the  affirmative  or 
negative  of  this  sketch  and  story,  we  give  this  picture  as  a  verit 
able  frontispiece. 

Ipswich  and  North  Andover  Houses. 

The  house  now  standing  at  North  Andover  and  shown  in 
this  book,  took  the  place  of  the  one  burned  to  the  ground  in  July, 
1666,  but  duplicated  as  nearly  as  possible  at  a  very  short  notice. 
The  two  houses  herewith  presented,  one  at  Andover  and  the 
Ipswich  house,  are  very  nearly  alike  in  architecture  as  to  size  and 
long  descending  roof,  from  the  ridge-pole  to  the  back,  only  a  few 
feet  high.  Two  full  stories  in  front,  and  sloping  to  one  short 
story  in  the  rear.  It  seems  that  the  house  burned  at  Andover  was 
similar  to  its  successor,  and  both  like  the  Ipswich  house,  only  the 
latter  has  not  been  kept  in  such  good  repair  as  the  other. 

What  we   claim   for  the    Hodgkins  and   Lummus  house  in 


44  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

Ipswich  is  that  it  may  have  been  the  Dudley  or  Bradstreet  house. 
It  is  supposed  that  the  houses  where  they  lived  while  in  Ipswich 
were  located  near  or  upon  the  site  of  the  house  shown  in  the  pic 
ture.  The  "  View  up  High  Street,"  shows  that  old  and  famous 
street  from  the  front  of  the  house,  formerly  the  house  of  President 
Rogers  of  Harvard  College,  up  to  and  in  front  of  the  supposed 
home  of  the  Dudleys  and  Bradst^reets. 

Anne  Bradstreet:  Unknown  Grave,  No  Portrait. 

As  no  portrait  of  Anne  Bradstreet  is  known  to  be  in  exist 
ence,  the  reader  will  have  to  contemplate  her  image  in  her  works, 
where  she  will  reveal  to  him  all  the  graces  of  a  loving  mother,  a 
devoted  wife  and  a  devout  Christian. 

The  place  of  her  burial  is  not  known ;  no  stone  is  known 
that  marks  her  grave.  Some  have  surmised  that  she  was  buried 
at  Roxbury  in  her  father's  tomb,  but  no  record  exists  showing 
this  to  be  so. 

Neither  portrait  nor  grave  of  Anne  Bradstreet  is  found,  but 
she  has  given  to  posterity  her  poems,  meditations  and  famous  de 
scendants,  with  a  good  name  and  literary  fame,  and  a  pure 
Christian  character. 

The  Salem  House. 

The  Bradstreet  House,  represented  on  another  page,  was  torn 
down  in  1750,  and  stood  on  the  site  of  the  late  Francis  Peabody's 
residence,  .next  west  of  Plummer  Hall,  in  Salem.  It  was  built  by 
Emanuel  Downing,  the  father  of  Sir  George  Downing.  The  date 
of  its  erection  is  not  known,  but  it  was  conveyed  to  his  daughter 
Anna,  the  wife  of  Captain  Joseph  Gardner,  in  1656.  After  the 
death  of  Captain  Gardner,  who  was  killed  at  the  great  swamp  fight 
in  the  Narragansett  War,  in  1675,  his  wife  married  Governor 


THE    SALEM    HOUSE  (from  an  old  print}. 

The  Bradstreet  House,  represented  on  this  page,  was  torn  down  in  1750,  and 
stood  on  the  site  of  the  late  Francis  Peabody's  residence,  next  west  of  Plummer 
Hall,  in  Salem.  It  was  built  by  Emanuel  Downing,  the  father  of  Sir  George 
Downing.  The  date  of  its  erection  is  not  known,  but  it  was  conveyed  to  his  daughter 
Anna,  the  wife  of  Captain  Joseph  Gardner,  in  1656.  After  the  death  of  Captain 
Gardner,  who  was  killed  at  the  great  swamp  fight  in  the  Narragansett  War,  in  1675, 
his  wife  married  Governor  Simon  Bradstreet,  and  thus  the  house  became  known  as 
the  Bradstreet  House.  Governor  Bradstreet,  the  last  of  the  Colonial  Governors 
under  the  first  charter,  died  here  March  27,  1697. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  45 

Simon  Bradstreet,  and  thus  the  house  became  known  as  the 
Bradstreet  House.  Governor  Bradstreet,  the  last  of  the  Colonial 
Governors  under  the  first  charter,  died  here  March  27,  1675. 

The  Dudley  and  Bradstreet  Houses  at  Cambridge. 

The  Dudley  House  stood  on  the  west  side  of  Water  Street, 
near  it  southern  terminus  at  Marsh  Lane,  at  the  corner  of  the 
present  Dunster  and  South  Streets.  This  was  so  richly  made 
that  Governor  Winthrop  reproved  Dudley  for  setting  so  extrava 
gant  an  example  in  building  his  home,  as  the  Colonists  could  ill 
afford  to  follow  his  example. 

Bradstreet's  house  was  at  the  corner  of  Braynton  and  Wood 
Streets,  where  the  University  book  store  now  is  on  Harvard 
Square,  at  the  corner  of  Brighton  Street.  Dudley's  lot  was  half 
an  acre  ;  Bradstreet's  measured  "  about  one  rood." 

Fore-Ordination  and  Election. 

That  Anne  Bradstreet  was  a  Puritan  believer  in  the  doctrine  of 
fore-ordination  and  the  "  great  worke  of  election  and  Reprobation," 
is  evidenced  by  paragraph  LXVII,  which  we  copy  in  full  without 
note  or  comment. 

LXVII. 

All  the  works  and  doings  of  God  are  wonderfull,  but  none 
more  awfull  -than  his  great  worke  of  election  and  Reprobation ; 
when  we  consider  how  many  good  parents  have  had  bad  children, 
and  againe  how  many  bad  parents  have  had  pious  children,  it 
should  make  us  adore  the  Soverainty  of  God  who  will  not  be  tyed 
to  time  nor  place,  nor  yet  to  persons,  but  takes  and  chuses  when 
and  where  and  whom  he  pleases :  it  should  alsoe  teach  the  children 
of  godly  parents  to  walk  with  feare  and  trembling,  lest  they, 


46  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

through  unbeleif,  fall  short  of  a  promise :  it  may  also  be  a  support 
to  such  as  have  or  had  wicked  parents,  that,  if  they  abide  not  in 
unbeleif,  God  is  able  to  grasse  them  in :  the  upshot  of  all  should 
make  us,  with  the  Apostle,  to  admire  the  justice  and  mercy  of 
God,  and  say,  how  unsearchable  are  his  wayes,  and  his  footsteps 
past  finding  out. 

The  Portrait  of  Governor  Bradstreet. 

The  portrait  of  Bradstreet,  which  we  print  in  this  book,  is,  as 
has  often  been  stated,  a  copy  of  the  one  in  the  Massachusetts 
Senate  Chamber.  But  where  did  it  come  from  and  how  old  is 
the  picture  ? 

I  have  had  a  good  deal  of  trouble  to  find  out  its  history; 
it  has  been  an  interesting  search,  and  I  've  run  it  back  to 
the  old  State  House  at  the  head  of  State  Street.  Its  history  goes 
as  far  back  as  the  symbolical  "  cod  fish "  now  hanging  in  the 
House  of  Representatives  at  Boston.  This  likeness  of  the  old 
Governor  Bradstreet  was  in  1770  hanging  in  the  council  room  in 
the  Kings  Street  State  House. 

John  Adams,  the  ex-President  of  the  United  States,  in  a  letter 
to  William  Tudor,  describes  the  visit  of  Samuel  Adams  at  the 
head  of  a  committee  appointed  at  a  Boston  town  meeting,  demand 
ing  the  removal  of  the  British  troops  outside  of  the  town,  on  the 
morning  after  the  Boston  Massacre,  March  5,  1770.  Mr.  Adams' 
letter  was  written  in  1818,  and  describes  a  picture  he  suggested 
to  have  painted  by  the  National  Government,  representing  the 
appearance  of  Samuel  Adams  before  the  Royal  Governor  and 
Council.  We  copy  John  Adams'  letter,  printed  in  his  correspon 
dence  in  the  "  Novanglus,"  page  258. 

"  Now- for  the  picture;  the  theatre  and  the  scenery,  the  same 
glorious  portraits  of  King  Charles  II  and  King  James  II,  to  which 
might  be  added,  and  should  be  added,  little,  miserable  likenesses 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  47 

of  Governor  Winthrop,  Governor  Bradstreet  and  Governor  Endi- 
cott,  hung  in  obscure  corners  of  the  room." 

The  portraits  of  the  two  Kings  were  full  length,  and  mounted 
in  elegant  frames  and  conspicuously  hung.  John  Adams  in  a 
scornful,  sarcastic  manner  refers  to  the  Kings'  pictures  as  "  glori 
ous,"  and  as  the  Colonial  Governors  were  plainly  painted  and 
hung  in  the  corners,  he  refers  to  them  as  "  little,  miserable  like 
nesses."  The  royal  personages  were  no  doubt  taken  away  when 
Boston  was  evacuated,  but  Governors  were  left  and  were  removed 
to  the  State  House  on  the  hill,  with  the  cod  fish  and  other  archives, 
in  1798. 

"Lieutenant-Governor  Hutchinson,  Commander-in-Chief  in 
the  absence  of  the  Governor,  must  be  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
Council  table.  Lieutenant-Colonel  Dalrymple,  Commander-in-Chief 
of  his  Majesty's  military  forces,  taking  rank  of  all  his  Majesty's 
councillors,  must  be  seated  by  the  side  of  the  Lieutenant-Governor 
and  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Province.  Eight  and  twenty 
councillors  must  be  painted,  all  seated  at  the  council  board.  Let 
me  see  ;  what  costume  ?  What  was  the  fashion  of  that  day  in  the 
month  of  March  ?  Large  white  wigs,  English  scarlet  cloth  coats, 
some  of  them  with  gold-laced  hats,  not  on  their  heads,  indeed,  in 
so  august  a  presence,  but  on  a  table  before  them.  Before  these 
illustrious  personages  appeared  Samuel  Adams,  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  and  their  clerk,  now  at  the  head  of  their 
committee  of  the  great  assembly  at  the  Old  South  Church. 

"  Thucydides,  Livy  or  Sallust  would  make  a  speech  for  him, 
or,  perhaps  Bota,  if  he  had  known  anything  of  this  transaction, 
one  of  the  most  important  of  the  Revolution,  but  I  am  wholly  in 
capable  of  it ;  should  not  dare  to  attempt  it.  Samuel  Adams 
demanded  that  the  regular  troops  should  be  removed  from  the 
town.  Lieutenant-Governor  Hutchinson  said,  *  He  had  no  author 
ity  over  the  King's  troops.' 


48  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

"  Mr.  Adams  instantly  appealed  to  the  charter.  That  the 
Governor  *  was  Commander-in-Chief  of  all  the  military  and  naval 
power  in  its  jurisdiction.'  So  obviously  true  was  this  that  the  point 
was  withdrawn.  Hutchinson  and  Dalrymple,  after  consulting, 
said  they  might  withdraw  one  regiment  to  the  castle  if  that  would 
satisfy  the  people. 

"With  a  self-recollection,  a  self-possession,  a  self-command, 
a  presence  of  mind  that  was  admired  by  every  man  present, 
Samuel  Adams  arose  with  an  air  of  dignity  and  majesty  of  which 
he  was  sometimes  capable,  stretched  forth  his  arm,  though  even 
then  quivering  with  palsy,  and  with  a  harmonious  voice  and  de 
cisive  tone  said,  '  If  the  Lieutenant-Governor  or  Colonel  Dalrymple, 
or  both  together,  have  authority  to  remove  one  regiment,  they 
have  authority  to  remove  two,  and  nothing  short  of  the  total  evac 
uation  of  the  town  by  all  the  regular  troops  will  satisfy  the  public 
mind  or  preserve  the  peace  of  the  Province.' 

"  These  few  words  thrilled  through  the  veins  of  every  man  in 
the  audience,  and  produced  the  great  result." 

High  Street. 

High  Street  is  an  old  English  name  for  the  principal  or  busi 
ness  street  of  a  town  or  city.  If  not  so  now  in  any  English  town, 
it  was  such  when  the  name  was  given  to  it.  It  was  formerly  of 
the  same  meaning  as  "  Main  Street  "  in  our  Western  cities  and 
large  towns.  Main  Street  in  American  cities  was  intended  to  be 
the  business  street  thereof.  High  Street,  in  Leicester,  England, 
was  formerly  the  principal  street  of  that  place.  Upon  that  street 
is  the  old  Roman  House  with  its  tessellated  pavement,  where  you 
descend  one  story  to  reach  what  was  on  the  level  of  the  street 
and  once  the  front  hall  and  ante-room,  which  contains  the  oldest 
specimen  of  an  old  Roman  tessellated  pavement  to  be  found  in 
England. 


"PURITANE    ONE." 

"  At  Banbury  came  I  oh ;   profane  one. 
Where  I  saw  the  Puritane  one;     .•••-.': 


{Copy  of  Picture  in  British  Museum.} 


(See  page  49.} 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  49 

The  Puritan. 

The  picture  of  the  Puritan  hanging  his  cat  on  Monday  for 
killing  a  mouse  on  Sunday,  is  a  copy  of  the  one  in  the  British 
Museum,  London,  and  shows  the  animus  of  a  certain  class  of 
Englishmen  towards  that  sect. 

The  Puritans  were  bitter  enemies  of  the  stage  and  all  con 
nected  with  it,  and  their  dislike  was  reciprocated  most  heartily  by 
the  playwrights  and  players. 

Mrs.  Lucy  Hutchinson,  speaking  of  the  treatment  of  the 
Puritans,  says :  "  Every  stage  and  every  table  and  every  puppet 
play  belched  forth  profane  scoffs  upon  them,  the  drunkards  made 
them  their  songs,  all  fiddlers  and  mimics  learned  to  abuse  them, 
as  finding  it  the  most  gameful  way  of  fooling." 

The  scene  depicted  in  the  picture  is  from  the  play  of  "  Drunken 
Barnaby's  Tour." 

"  At  Banbury  came  I  oh ;  profane  one, 
Where  I  saw  the  Puritane  one; 
Hanging  of  his  cat  on  Monday, 
For  killing  of  a  mouse  on  Sunday." 

This  cartoon  is  an  extravaganza,  and  of  course  not  literally 
true  or  even  supposed  to  be,  by  any  one.  Nevertheless,  this  is  a 
very  English  picture,  and  like  many  English  attempts  at  wit  or 
humor,  makes  a  very  weird  ending,  or  else  a  silly,  meaningless  one. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


SELECTIONS  FROM  HER  WORKS. 

Extracts  from  Contemplations. 

THE  verses  under  this  head  was  one  of  her  latest  efforts  before 
her  death,  and  one  of  the  best.     The  scene  is  laid  near  the 
falls  of  the  Merrimac  River,  which  now  furnishes  the  water  power 
that  runs  the  factories  of  the  city  of  Lawrence,  and  she  says  in 
referring  to  the  great  dam, 

"  I  markt,  not  crooks,  nor  rubs  that  there  did  lye 

Could  hinder  aught,  but  still  augment  its  force." 

Nine  of  the  verses  of  "  Contemplation  "  are  here  inserted,  as 
choice  samples  of  all. 

Under  the  cooling  shadow  of  a  stately  Elm, 

Close  sate  I  by  a  goodly  River's  side, 
Where  gliding  streams  the  Rocks  did  overwhelm; 

A  lonely  place  with  pleasures  dignifi'd. 
I  once  that  lov'd  the  shady  woods  so  well, 
Now  thought  the  rivers  did  the  trees  excel, 
And  if  the  sun  would  ever  shine,  there  would  I  dwell. 

While  on  the  stealing  stream  I  fixt  mine  eye, 

Which  to  the  longed  for  Ocean  held  its  course, 

I  markt,  not  crooks,  nor  rubs  that  there  did  lye 
Could  hinder  aught,  but  still  augment  its  force. 

O  happy  Flood,  quoth  I,  that  holds  thy  race 

Till  thou  arrive  at  thy  beloved  place, 

Nor  is  it  rocks  or  shoals  that  can  obstruct  thy  pace. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  51 

Nor  is  't  enough  that  thou  alone  may'st  slide, 

But  hundred  brooks  in  thy  cleer  waves  do  meet, 

So  hand  in  hand  along  with  thee  they  glide, 

To  Thetis  house,  where  all  invite  and  greet : 

Thou  emblem  true  of  what  I  count  the  best, 

O  could  I  lead  my  Rivolets  to  rest, 

So  may  we  press  to  that  vast  mansion,  ever  blest. 


Ye  fish  which  in  this  liquid  Region  'bide, 

That  for  each  season  have  your  habitation, 
Now  salt,  now  fresh  where  you  think  best  to  glide, 

To  unknown  coasts  to  give,  a  visitation, 
In  Lakes  and  ponds  you  leave  your  numerous  fry, 
So  nature  taught,  and  yet  you  wonder  why, 
You  watry  folk  that  know  not  your  felicity. 


Look  how  the  wantons  frisk  to  taste  the  air, 

Then  to  the  colder  bottome  streight  they  dive, 

Eftsoon  to  Neptun's  glassie  Hall  repair, 

To  see  what  trade  they  great  ones  there  do  drive 

Who  forrage  ore  the  spacious,  sea-green  field, 

And  take  the  trembling  prey  before  it  yield, 

Whose  armour  is  their  scales,  their  spreading  fins  their  shield. 

The  Mariner  that  on  smooth  waves  doth  glide, 

Sings  merrily,  and  steers  his  Barque  with  ease, 

As  if  he  had  command  of  wind  and  tide, 

And  now  become  great  master  of  the  seas ; 

But  suddenly  a  storm  spoiles  all  the  sport, 

And  makes  him  long  for  a  more  quiet  port, 

Which  'gainst  all  adverse  winds  may  serve  for  fort. 


While  musing  thus  with  contemplation  fed, 

And  thousand  fancies  buzzing  in  my  brain, 
The  sweet  tongu'd  Philomel  percht  ore  my  head, 

And  chanted  forth  a  most  melodious  strain, 
Which  rapt  me  so  with  wonder  and  delight, 
1  judg'd  my  hearing  better  then  my  sight, 
And  wisht  me  wings  with  her  awhile  to  take  my  flight. 


52  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

O  merry  Bird  (said  I)  that  fears  no  snares, 

That  neither  toyles  nor  hoards  up  in  thy  barn, 
Feels  no  sad  thoughts,  no  cruciating  cares 

To  gain  more  good,  or  shun  what  might  thee  harm. 
Thy  cloaths  ne're  wear,  thy  meat  is  everywhere, 
Thy  bed  a  bough,  thy  drink  the  water  cleer, 
Reminds  not  what  is  past  nor  whats  to  come  dost  fear. 


The  dawning  morn  with  songs  thou  dost  prevent, 
Sets  hundred  notes  unto  thy  feathered  crew, 

So  each  one  tunes  this  pretty  instrument, 
And  warbling  out  the  old,  begin  anew, 

And  thus  they  pass  their  youth  in  summer  season, 

Then  follow  thee  into  a  better  Region, 

Where  winter ~'s  never  felt  in  that  sweet  airy  legion. 


Reminiscences  of  Anne  Bradstreefs  Childhood. 
In  her  poem  entitled  "  In  Honor  of  Du  Bartas,"  she  makes  a 
pleasant   allusion   to   her  English    life,  quite   different  from  her 
Ipswich  home  life,  where  in  1641  she  probably  wrote  it. 

My  muse  unto  a  child  I  may  compare, 

Who  sees  the  riches  of  some  famous  Fair, 

He  feeds  his  eyes,  but  understanding  lacks 

To  comprehend  the  worth  of  all  those  knacks: 

The  glittering  plate  and  jewels  he  admires, 

The  Hats  and  Fans,  the  Plumes  and  Ladies'  tires 

And  thousand  times  his  mazed  mind  doth  wish 

Some  part  (at  least)  of  that  brave  wealth  was  his, 

But  seeing  empty  wishes,  nought  obtain, 

At  night  turns  to  his  mother's  cot  again, 

And  tells  her  tales,  (his  full  heart  overglad) 

Of  all  the  glorious  sights  his  Eyes  have  had ; 

But  finds  too  soon  his  want  of  Eloquence. 

The  silly  pratler  speaks  no  word  of  sense ; 

But  seeing  utterance  fail  his  great  desires, 

Sits  down  in  silence,  deeply  he  admires. 

Thus  weak  brain'd  I,  reading  thy  lofty  stile 

Thy  profound  learning,  viewing  other  while. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  53 

Winter  and  Spring. 

May  n,  1657,  I  had  a  sore  sickness,  and  weakness  took  hold 
of  me,  which  hath  by  spells  lasted  all  this  Spring  till  this  n,  May, 
yet  hath  my  God  given  me  many  a  respite,  and  some  ability  to 
perform  the  Duties  I  owe  to  him,  and  the  work  of  my  family. 

Many  a  refreshment  have  I  found  in  this  my  weary  Pilgrim 
age,  and  in  this  valley  of  Baca  many  pools  of  water.  That  which 
I  now  chiefly  labour  for  is  a  contented,  thankful  heart  under  my 
affliction  and  weakness,  seeing  it  is  the  will  of  God  it  should  be 
thus. 

Who  am  I  that  I  should  repine  at  his  pleasure,  especially 
seeing  it  is  for  my  spinter  all  advantage  ?  for  I  hope  my  soul  shall 
flourish  while  my  body  decayes,  and  the  weakness  of  this  outward 
man  shall  be  a  meanes  to  strengthen  my  inner  man.  Yet  a  little 
while  and  he  that  shall  come  will  come  and  will  not  tarry. 

The  Coming  Spring. 
As  spring  the  winter  doth  succeed, 

And  leaves  the  naked  Trees  doe  dresse, 
The  earth  all  black  is  cloth'd  in  green; 

At  sunshine  each  their  joy  express. 

My  Sun's  returned  with  healing  wings, 

My  Soul  and  Body  doth  rejoice 
My  heart  exults,  and  praises  sings 

To  him  that  heard  my  wailing  Voice. 

My  winter  's  past,  my  storms  are  gone, 
And  former  clouds  seem  now  all  fled ; 

But,  if  they  must  eclipse  again, 
I  '11  run  where  I  was  succored. 

I  have  a  shelter  from  the  storm, 

A  shadow  from  the  fainting  heat; 

I  have  access  unto  his  Throne, 

Who  is  a  God  so  wondrous  great. 


54  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

O !  hast  thou  made  my  Pilgrimage 
Thus  pleasant,  fair,  and  good; 

Blessed  me  in  Youth  and  Elder  Age, 
My  Baca  made  a  springing  flood?* 

I  studious  am  what  I  shall  doe, 

To  show  my  Duty  with  delight; 

All  I  can  give  is  but  thine  own, 
And  at  the  most  a  simple  mite. 


The  Author  to  Her  Book. 

Thou  illform'd  offspring  of  my  feeble  brain, 

Who  after  death  didst  by  my  side  remain, 

Till  snatcht  from  thence  by  friends,  less  wise  than  true 

Who  thee  abroad,  expos'd  to  publick  view, 

Made  thee  in  raggs,  halting  to  th'  press  to  trudg, 

Where  errors  were  not  lessened  (all  may  judg) 

At  thy  return  my  blushing  was  not  small, 

My  rambling  brat  (in  print,)  should  mother  call, 

I  cast  thee  by  as  one  unfit  for  light, 

Thy  Visage  was  so  irksome  in  my  sight; 

Yet  being  mine  own,  at  length  affection  would 

Thy  blemishes  amend,  if  so  I  could: 

I  wash'd  thy  face,  but  more  defects  I  saw, 

And  rubbing  off  a  spot,  still  made  a  flaw. 

I  stretcht  thy  joynts  to  make  thee  even  feet, 

Yet  still  thou  run'st  more  hobling  than  is  meet; 

In  better  dress  to  trim  thee  was  my  mind, 

But  nought  save  home-spun  Cloth,  i'  th'  house  I  find 

In  this  array,  mong'st  Vulgars  mayst  thou  roam 

In  Critick's  hands,  beware  thou  dost  not  come; 


*  Psalm  Ixxxiv  :  5,  6.     Baca  seems  to  have  been  a  sweet  and  favorite  word  with  Anne 
Bradstreet.    The  old  "  Bay  Psalm  Book  "  renders  the  verse, 

"  Who  as  they  passe  through  Baca's  Vale, 

doe  make  it  a  fountaine  ; 

also  the  pooles  that  are  therein 

are  filled  full  of  raine." 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  55 

And  take  thy  way  where  yet  thou  art  not  known, 
If  for  thy  Father  askt,  say,  thou  hadst  none; 
And  for  thy  Mother,  she  alas  is  poor, 
Which  caused  her  thus  to  turn  thee  out  of  door. 


Anne  Bradstreefs  Last  Poem. 

With  1669  she  had  become  a  hopeless  and  almost  helpless 
invalid,  longing  to  die,  yet  still  held  by  the  intense  vitality  which 
must  have  been  her  characteristic,  and  which  required  three  years 
more  of  wasting  pain  before  the  struggle  could  end.  In  August, 
of  1669,  she  had  written  one  of  the  most  pathetic  of  her  poems. 


Aug:  31,  69. 

As  weary  pilgrim  now  at  rest, 
Hugs  with  delight  his  silent  nest 
His  wasted  limbes  now  lye  full  soft 
That  myrie  steps  have  trodden  oft. 
Blesses  himself  to  think  upon 
his  dangers  past,  and  travails  done. 
The  burning  sun  no  more  shall  heat 
Nor  stormy  raines  on  him  shall  beat. 
The  bryars  and  thornes  no  more  shall  scratch, 
nor  hungry  wolves  at  him  shall  catch 
He  erring  pathes  no  more  shall  tread 
nor  wilde  fruits  eate,  instead  of  bread 
for  waters  cold  he  doth  not  long 
for  thirst  no  more  shall  parch  his  tongue. 
No  rugged  stones  his  feet  shall  gaule 
nor  stumps  nor  rocks  cause  him  to  fall. 
All  cares  and  feares,  he  bids  farewell 
and  meanes  in  safity  now  to  dwell. 
A  pilgrim  I,  on  earth,  perplext, 
Wth  sinns  wth  cares  and  sorrows  vext 
By  age  and  paines  brought  to  decay. 
And  my  Clay  house  mouldring  away 
Oh  how  I  long  to  be  at  rest 
and  soare  on  high  among  the  blesst. 


56  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

This  body  shall  in  silence  sleep 

Mine  eyes  no  more  shall  ever  weep 

No  fainting  fits  shall  me  assaile 

nor  grinding  paines  my  body  fraile 

Wth  cares  and  fears  n'er  cumbred  be 

Nor  losses  know,  nor  sorrows  see 

What  tho  my  flesh  shall  there  consume 

it  is  the  bed  Christ  did  perfume 

And  when  a  few  yeares  shall  be  gone 

this  mortall  shall  be  cloth'd  upon 

A  corrupt  Carcasse  downe  it  lyes 

A  glorious  body  it  shall  rise 

In  weakness  and  dishonour  sowne 

in  power  'tis  rais'd  by  Christ  alone 

When  soule  and  body  shall  unite 

and  of  their  maker  have  the  sight 

Such  lasting  joyes  shall  there  behold 

as  eare  ne'r  heard  nor  tongue  e'er  told 

Lord  make  me  ready  for  that  day 

then  Come  dear  bridegrome,  Come  away. 

The  long  waiting  ended  at  last,  and  her  son,  Simon  Bradstreet, 
wrote  in  his  diary  : 

"Sept.  16,  1672.  My  ever  honoured  &  most  dear  Mother 
was  translated  to  Heaven.  Her  death  was  occasioned  by  a  con 
sumption  being  wasted  to  skin  &  bone  &  she  had  an  issue  made 
in  her  arm  bee :  she  was  much  troubled  with  rheum,  &  one  of 
ye  women  y1  tended  herr  dressing  her  arm,  s'd  shee  never  saw 
such  an  arm  in  her  Life,  I,  s'd  my  most  dear  Mother  but  yi  shall 
bee  a  Glorious  Arm. 


AUTOGRAPH    LETTER    OF    ANNE    BRADSTREET. 
(See  page  57  ) 


AUTOGRAPH    SIGNATURE    OF    ANNE    BRADSTREET. 
(See  page  57.) 


CHAPTER   X. 

MEDITATIONS,  DIVINE  AND  MORALL. 

WE  SELECT  the  first  thirty-seven  of  her  meditations  or 
proverbs  and  similes,  which  go  to  show  that  in  prose  she 
was  equal  to  her  versification.  They  appear  to  have  been  ad 
dressed  "  To  My  Dear  Children,"  and  she  claims  in  a  letter  to 
them  that  they  are  original  with  her,  and  not  any  of  them  copied. 
This  assertion  is  qualified  by  paragraph  xxiv. 

Preceding  these  selections  the  autograph  copy  of  a  letter  of 
Anne  Bradstreet  to  her  son  Simon  is  given,  together  with  the 
English  print  of  it,  as  also  a  copy  of  her  autograph  signature, 
which  is  one  of  only  two  known  to  be  in  existence. 

For  my  deare  sonne  Simon  Bradstreet. 

Parents  perpetuate  their  lines  in  their  posterity,  and  their 
maners  in  their  imitation.  Children  do  naturally  rather  follow 
the  failings  than  the  virtues  of  their  predecessors,  but  I  am  per 
suaded  better  things  of  you.  You  once  desired  me  to  leave  some 
thing  for  you  in  writing  that  you  might  look  upon  when  you 
should  see  me  no  more.  I  could  think  of  nothing  more  fit  for 
you,  nor  of  more  ease  to  my  selfe,  than  these  short  meditations 
following.  Such  as  they  are  I  bequeath  to  you  :  small  legacys 
are  accepted  by  true  friends,  much  more  by  dutiful  children. 
I  have  avoyded  incroaching  upon  others  conceptions,  because  I 
would  leave  you  nothing  but  myne  owne,  though  in  value  they 
fall  short  of  all  in  this  kinde,  yet  I  presume  they  will  be  better 


58  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

priz'd  by  you  for  the  Author's  sake.  The  Lord  blesse  you  with 
grace  heer,  and  crown  you  with  glory  heerafter,  that  I  may  meet 
you  with  rejoyceing  at  that  great  day  of  appearing,  which  is  the 
continuall  prayer  of 

Your  affectionate  mother,  A.  B. 

March  20,  1664. 


MEDITATIONS. 

I. 

There  is  no  object  that  we  see ;  no  action  that  we  doe ;  no 
good  that  we  injoy ;  no  evill  that  we  feele  or  feare,  but  we  may 
make  some  spiritu(a)ll,  advantage  of  all :  and  he  that  makes 
such  improvement  is  wise  as  well  as  pious. 

II. 

Many  can  speak  well,  but  few  can  do  well.  We  are  better 
Scholars  in  the  Theory  than  the  practique  part,  but  he  is  a  true 
Christian  that  is  a  proficient  in  both. 

III. 

Youth  is  the  time  of  getting,  middle  age  of  improving,  and 
old  age  of  spending ;  a  negligent  youth  is  usually  attended  by  an 
ignorant  middle  age,  and  both  by  an  empty  old  age.  He  that 
hath  nothing  to  feed  on  but  vanity  and  lyes  must  needs  lye  down 
in  the  Bed  of  Sorrow. 

IV. 

A  ship  that  beares  much  saile,  and  little  or  no  ballast,  is 
easily  overset ;  and  that  man  whose  head  hath  great  abilities,  and 
his  heart  little  or  no  grace,  is  in  danger  of  foundering. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  59 

V. 

It  is  reported  of  the  peakcock  that,  prideing  himself  in  his 
gay  feathers,  he  ruffles  them  up ;  but,  spying  his  black  feet,  he 
soon  lets  fall  his  plumes,  so  he  that  glorys  in  his  gifts  and  adorn- 
ings  should  look  upon  his  Corruptions,  and  that  will  damp  his 
high  thoughts. 

VI. 

The  finest  bread  hath  the  least  bran ;  the  purest  hony,  the 
least  wax ;  and  the  sincerest  Christian,  the  least  self  love. 

VII. 

The  hireling  that  labors  all  the  day,  comforts  himself  that 
when  night  comes  he  shall  both  take  his  rest  and  receive  his  re 
ward  ;  the  painfull  Christian  that  hath  wrought  hard  in  God's 
vineyard,  and  hath  born  the  heat  and  drought  of  the  day,  when 
he  perceives  his  sun  apace  to  decline,  and  the  shadows  of  his. 
evening  to  be  stretched  out,  lifts  up  his  head  with  joy,  knowing 
his  refreshing  is  at  hand. 

VIII. 

Downny  beds  make  drosey  persons,  but  hard  lodging  keeps 
the  eyes  open.  A  prosperous  state  makes  a  secure  Christian,  but 
adversity  makes  him  Consider. 

IX. 

Sweet  words  are  like  hony,  a  little  may  refresh,  but  too  much 
gluts  the  stomach. 

X. 

Diverse  children  have  their  different  natures ;  some  are  like 
flesh  which  nothing  but  salt  will  keep  from  putrefaction ;  some 
again  like  tender  fruits  that  are  best  preserved  with  sugar :  those 
parents  are  wise  that  can  fit  their  nurture  according  to  their 
Nature. 


60  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

XI. 

That  town  with  thousands  of  enemys  without  hath  not  been 
able  to  take,  hath  been  delivered  up  by  one  traytor  within ;  and 
that  man,  which  all  the  temptations  of  Sathan  without  could  not 
hurt,  hath  been  foild  by  one  lust  within. 

XII. 

Authority  without  wisdome  is  like  a  heavy  axe  without  an 
edge,  fitter  to  bruise  than  polish. 

XIII. 

The  reason  why  Christians  are  so  loth  to  exchange  this  world 
for  a  better,  is  because  they  have  more  sence  than  faith :  they  se 
what  they  enjoy,  they  do  but  hope  for  that  which  is  to  come. 

XIV. 

If  we  had  no  winter,  the  spring  would  not  be  so  pleasant; 
if  we  did  not  sometimes  tast  of  adversity,  prosperity  would  not  be 
so  welcome. 

XV. 

A  low  man  can  goe  upright  under  that  door  wher  a  taller  is 
glad  to  stoop;  so  a  man  of  weak  faith,  and  mean  abilities  may 
undergo  a  crosse  more  patiently  than  he  that  excells  him,  both  in 
gifts  and  graces. 

XVI. 

That  house  which  is  not  often  swept,  makes  the  cleanly  in 
habitant  soone  loath  it,  and  that  heart  which  is  not  continually 
purifieing  itself,  is  no  fit  temple  for  the  spirit  of  God  to  dwell  in. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  .  6 1 

XVII. 

Few  men  are  so  humble  as  not  to  be  proud  ot  their  abilitys  ; 
and  nothing  will  abase  them  more  than  this  —  What  hast  thou, 
but  what  thou  hast  received?  Come,  give  an  account  of  thy 
stewardship. 

XVIII. 

He  that  will  undertake  to  climb  up  a  steep  mountain  with  a 
great  burden  on  his  back,  will  finde  it  a  wearysome,  if  not  an  im 
possible  task ;  so  he  that  thinks  to  mount  to  heaven  clog'd  with 
the  Cares  and  riches  of  this  Life,  't  is  no  wonder  if  he  faint  by 
the  way. 

XIX. 

Corne,  till  it  has  passed  through  the  Mill  and  been  ground 
to  powder,  is  not  fit  for  bread.  God  so  deales  with  his  servants : 
he  grindes  them  with  grief  and  pain  till  they  turn  to  dust,  and 
then  are  they  fit  manchet  for  his  Mansion. 

XX. 

God  hath  sutable  comforts  and  supports  for  his  children  ac 
cording  to  their  severall  conditions  if  he  will  make  his  face  to 
shine  upon  them :  he  then  makes  them  lye  down  in  green  pas 
tures,  and  leads  them  beside  the  still  waters  :  if  they  stick  in  deepe 
mire  and  clay,  and  all  his  waves  and  billows  goe  over  their  heads, 
He  then  leads  them  to  the  Rock  which  is  higher  than  they. 

XXI. 

He  that  walks  among  briars  and  thorns  will  be  very  carefull 
where  he  sets  his  foot.  And  he  that  passes  through  the  wilder 
ness  of  this  world,  had  need  ponder  all  his  steps. 


62  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

XXII. 

Want  of  prudence,  as  well  as  piety,  hath  brought  men  into 
great  inconveniencys  ;  but  he  that  is  well  stored  with  both,  seldom 
is  so  ensnared. 

XXIII. 

The  skillfull  fisher  hath  his  severall  baits  for  severall  fish, 
but  there  is  a  hooke  under  all ;  Satan,  that  great  Angler,  hath  his 
sundry  bait  for  sundry  tempers  of  men,  which  they  all  catch 
gredily  at,  but  few  perceives  the  hook  till  it  be  too  late. 

XXIV. 

There  is  no  new  thing  under  the  sun,  there  is  nothing  that 
can  be  sayd  or  done,  but  either  that  or  something  like  it  hath  been 
*both  done  and  sayd  before. 

XXV. 

An  akeing  head  requires  a  soft  pillow  ;  and  a  drooping  heart 
a  strong  support. 

XXVI. 

A  sore  finger  may  disquiet  the  whole  body,  but  an  ulcer 
within  destroys  it :  so  an  enemy  without  may  destroy  a  Common 
wealth,  but  dissentions  within  overthrow  it. 

XXVII. 

It  is  a  pleasant  thing  to  behold  the  light,  but  sore  eyes  are 
not  able  to  look  upon  it ;  the  pure  in  heart  shall  see  God,  but  the 
defiled  in  conscience  shall  rather  choose  to  be  buried  under  rocks 
and  mountains  then  to  behold  the  presence  of  the  Lamb. 

XXVIII. 

Wisedome  with  an  inheritance  is  good,  but  wisedome  without 
an  inheritance  is  better  than  an  inheritance  without  wisdome. 


ANNE    BRADSTREET.  63 

XXIX. 

Lightening  doth  generally  preceed  thunder,  and  stormes, 
raine;  and  stroaks  not  often  fall  till  after  threat' ning. 

XXX. 

Yellow  leaves  argue  the  want  of  Sap,  and  gray  haires  want 
of  moisture ;  so  dry  and  saplesse  performances  are  symptoms  of 
little  spirituall  vigor. 

XXXI. 

Iron  till  it  be  thoroughly  heat  is  incapable  to  be  wrought ;  so 
God  sees  good  to  cast  some  men  into  the  furnace  of  affliction,  and 
then  beats  them  on  his  anvile  into  what  frame  he  pleases. 

XXXII. 

Ambitious  men  are  like  hops  that  never  rest  climbing  soe 
long  as  they  have  anything  to  stay  upon ;  but  take  away  their 
props  and  they  are,  of  all,  the  most  dejected. 

XXXIII. 

Much  Labour  wearys  the  body,  and  many  thoughts  oppresse 
the  minde :  man  aimes  at  profit  by  the  one,  and  content  in  the 
other ;  but  often  misses  of  both,  and  findes  nothing  but  vanity 
and  vexation  of  spirit. 

XXXIV. 

Dimne  eyes  are  the  concomitants  of  old  age ;  and  short- 
sightednes,  in  those  that  are  eyes  of  a  Republique,  foretells  a 
declineing  State. 


64  ANNE    BRADSTREET. 

XXXV. 

We  read  in  Scripture  of  three  sorts  of  Arrows  —  the  arrow  of 
an  enemy,  the  arrow  of  pestilence,  and  the  arrow  of  a  slanderous 
tongue ;  the  two  first  kill  the  body,  the  last  the  good  name ;  the 
two  former  leave  a  man  when  he  is  once  dead,  but  the  latter 
mangles  him  in  his  grave. 

XXXVI. 

Sore  labourers  have  hard  hands,  and  old  sinners  have 
brawnie  consciences. 

XXXVII. 

Wickedness  comes  to  its  height  by  degrees.  He  that  danes 
say  of  a  little  sin,  is  not  a  little  one  ?  will  are  long  say  of  a 
greater,  Tush,  God  regards  it  not ! 


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